Cold plasma treatment to improve jelly production using a fused deposition modeling 3D printer

Herein, the effects of cold plasma (CP) on the rheological properties of gelatin-based solutions for 3D jelly printing using a fused deposition modeling method were investigated. The gelatin powder was packaged in a nylon/polyethylene pouch with nitrogen gas and subjected to CP treatment at 15 W for 10 min using atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment. CP treatment reduced the relative proportion of polar functional groups on the surface of the gelatin powder and forged new bonds (e.g., C-C) that reduced the hydrophilicity of the material. Furthermore, it increased the storage modulus and yield stress of the jelly formulation and lowered the phase angle, improving the fidelity and shape retention of the 3D printed jelly. Using CP-treated gelatin, inferior jelly formulations could be tuned to satisfy established printing criteria. CP treatment can control the rheological properties involved in the 3D printing of jelly.