Chapter 2 - 3D printing and nanotechnology

Abstract

The rapid prototyping has dramatically expanded over the last 20yrs, with the three-dimensional (3D) printing to be in the forefront and one of the most promising technologies among others. 3D printing is an additive manufacturing (AM) process based on sequential addition of material layers, offering the opportunity to print either two-dimensional parts (thin or thick films as self-standing films or coatings) or bulk 3D parts and components made of different materials with variable mechanical and physical properties. The global sales in 3D printing (products and services) rose by 21% from 2017, reaching 7B$ in 2018 (https://www.forbes.com). There are various techniques for printing 3D solid materials, including electron-beam freeform fabrication, direct metal laser sintering, and fused deposition modeling (FDM), among others. 3D FDM holds strong potential for the formation of a new class of multifunctional thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites. With the ability to print complex 3D objects layer by layer even by low-cost 3D printers appear to the market nowadays, AM with nanomaterials could be leveraged in new ways toward greater control over material properties across part dimensions. Multifunctionality through embedding of nanomaterials and nanotechnology-enabled final objects can further extend capabilities of nanocomposites to properties such as by-design and patient-specific biomedical equipment, gradients in thermal and electrical conductivity, photonic emissions tunable for wavelength, increased strength, and reduced weight. 3D FDM printing method could allow direct printing of nanomaterial-modified thermoplastic filaments, to bring a new paradigm for nanocomposite functionality in bulk 3D objects.