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Engineering Nano/Microscale Chiral Self-Assembly in 3D Printed Constructs
Mohsen Esmaeili1, Ehsan Akbari2, Kyle George1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
Nano-Micro Letters
|December 18, 2023
Summary
This study integrates chiral assembly with 3D printing, creating advanced materials with controlled nanoscale structures. Biomimetic inks enable precise 3D printing of helical architectures for enhanced mechanical and optical properties.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- 3D Printing
Background:
- Helical hierarchies in biomolecules like cellulose confer exceptional mechanical strength and color.
- Existing 3D printing lacks precise control over nanoscale chiral structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate helical/chiral assembly with 3D printing for precise spatial control of chiral nano/microstructures.
- To develop reactive chiral inks for advanced material fabrication.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspensions and acrylamide monomers for chiral inks.
- Employed rheometry and in situ rheo-optic measurements to study ink behavior.
- Analyzed photo-curing kinetics for structural integrity.
Main Results:
- Achieved chiral assembly at the nanoscale, surpassing typical 3D printing resolution.
- Demonstrated control over nonlinear flow behavior and microstructural dynamics of inks.
- Successfully printed 3D concentric chiral structures with tunable pitch lengths.
Conclusions:
- Established a roadmap for directing out-of-equilibrium CNC particle arrangements in 3D printed filaments.
- Biomimetic approach enables creation of materials with superior mechanical or photonic properties.
- Potential for translation into larger-scale 3D printed designs.
