• Researchers fromHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, a German materials research institute, in collaboration with itsInstitute of Active Polymers,BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg’s Institute of Materials Chemistry, and Berlin-basedVESC Studio, have developed a water-based 3D printing ink composed of 70 wt % lignosulfonate, an industrial byproduct of the pulping industry. • Published inACS Publications, the study describes a direct ink writing formulation processed at room temperature without organic solvents, chemical cross-linkers, freeze-drying, or thermal postcuring. • Printed structures can be recycled through grinding and rehydration while maintaining stiffness and thermal degradation behavior across nine reuse cycles. • Most commercial 3D printing inks rely on fossil-derived thermoplastics and irreversible cross-linking chemistries. • Biomass-derived alternatives based on lignin have previously required organic solvents, thermal curing, or limited lignin loadings below 50 wt % due to rheological instability. • Lignosulfonate, which accounts for approximately 88% of lignin waste streams and is water soluble due to its sulfonate groups, was selected as the primary feedstock.
Article Summaries:
- Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, a German materials research institute, in collaboration with its Institute of Active Polymers, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg’s Institute of Materials Chemistry, and Berlin-based VESC Studio, have developed a water-based 3D printing ink composed of 70 wt % lignosulfonate, an industrial byproduct of the pulping industry. Published in ACS Publications, the study describes a direct ink writing formulation processed at room temperature without organic solvents, chemical cross-linkers, freeze-drying, or thermal postcuring. Printed structures can be recycled throu
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