3D printing with a biobased polymer for CO2-neutral manufacturing
In our modern world, eliminating plastics is inconceivable. Unfortunately, they do have disadvantages, including the formation of CO2 in both production and combustion, depletion of fossil feedstocks, and growth of landfills. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, Russian researchers introduce a new way forward, a polymer made entirely from biomass that can easily and inexpensively be used in 3D printing. Objects produced in this way are of high quality, easily recyclable, and highly solvent-resistant.
Conventional “subtractive” processes involve cutting, sawing, turning, or milling, which results in a great deal of wasted material. In contrast, 3D printing processes are, in principle, waste-free, because they are “additive”: three-dimensional objects are produced in a layer-by-layer application of material. The most common technique is called fused deposition modeling (FDM). In this process, the raw material is squirted through a hot nozzle onto a mobile base and thereby liquefied (extrusion). The printer head produces the programmed form like in a conventional two-dimensional printing process, releasing small amounts of the polymer instead of ink. This is repeated for layer after layer until the desired three-dimensional object is complete. Yet, the polymers used until now have a number of disadvantages that limit their use. Some of the polymers are attacked by organic solvents. Those that withstand the solvents, on the other hand, adhere poorly and shrink on heating, allowing their layers to come apart and causing errors in the printing process.
Researchers working with Valentine P. Ananikov at the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow) have now solved these problems while also developing a sustainable process: 3D printing with polyethylene-2,5-furandicarboxylate (PEF), a polymer they make from cellulose.
The team was able to use a commercially available 3D printer under standard settings to successfully make objects. The individual layers of the printed objects were firmly bound to each other and the surface was smooth and of high quality. Tests demonstrated that the objects were resistant to dichloromethane, one of the most aggressive solvents. Thanks to the high thermal stability of the PEF, the printed objects could be repeatedly melted, made into filaments, and printed again.
Computer calculations indicate that the individual building blocks of PEF may contain non-linear fragments and form a spiral twist, which gives an access to new types of geometry. Another important feature is a greater polarity of PEF. The researchers believe that structural diversity opens new superior applications of PEF.
Learn more: From Cellulose to 3D Objects
The Latest on: CO2 neutral manufacturing
[google_news title=”” keyword=”CO2 neutral manufacturing” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]- Continental goes CO2 neutral with Lousado tyre productionon May 16, 2024 at 7:45 am
A significant milestone has been reached in Continental’s journey towards sustainable manufacturing with the achievement of CO2-neutral tyre production at its 18 million tyres per annum capacity ...
- Carbon dioxide removal: Feasibility study evaluates possible measures for Germanyon May 15, 2024 at 1:50 pm
In order for Germany to become climate neutral by 2045, CO2 emissions must first be drastically and permanently reduced. However, CDR measures alone cannot remove the large quantities of CO2 that are ...
- Microsoft launches initiative to counter 30% rise in Scope 3 emissions since 2020on May 15, 2024 at 9:56 am
The company‘s Scope 1 and 2 emissions — those closely tied to the company’s operations, manufacturing and use of power — have decreased 6.3 percent since the 2020 baseline. However, its Scope 3 output ...
- Taxation, Subsidies Or Free Markets: How To Drive The Hydrogen Economy Forward?on May 14, 2024 at 11:54 am
Green hydrogen can potentially address the challenges we face as a society seeking meaningful pathways to a net zero carbon emissions future. Here's how we may get there.
- Barco ClickShare reaffirms commitment to climate action with the carbon-neutral certification for the ClickShare Bar rangeon May 13, 2024 at 6:00 pm
The ClickShare Bar has been granted the CO2 neutral label by leading climate advisory organization CO2logic, a South Pole company and is the second ClickShare product to receive the CO2 neutral ...
- EU countries approve law to slash trucks' CO2 emissionson May 13, 2024 at 2:38 am
That is despite recent complaints from Germany and centre-right EU lawmakers, who had wanted the policy to allow more combustion engine trucks to be sold beyond 2040 if they ran on CO2-neutral fuels.
- New partnership to bring more hydrogen production systems to European marketon May 13, 2024 at 12:02 am
Metacon and Siemens collab to accelerate manufacturing green H2 in Sweden. Metacon AB (publ), a developer and manufacturer of energy systems for green hydrogen ...
- GM and Stellantis track sustainability goals in annual reportson May 10, 2024 at 3:31 am
GM and Stellantis both recently released annual reports focused on tracking sustainability goals. “We continue to make progress on our plan to become carbon neutral in our global products and ...
- On the Path to Net Zero: Vetter Achieves New Sustainability Goals in 2023on May 8, 2024 at 10:24 am
The Contract Development Manufacturing Organization (CDMO ... worldwide on track to halve their emissions by 2030 and become climate neutral by 2050. To achieve CO2 neutrality, Vetter needs to reduce ...
via Google News and Bing News