Aerogel objects inspired by the plant cell wall composition and architecture are fabricated by the extrusion-based 3D printing technology utilized for aqueous inks printed onto a cold controlled stage. We have coined this method Direct-Cryo Writing (DCW) as it captures both 3D printing and freeze casting in a single processing step. Freeze casting, also known as ice templating, is a material process that uses oriented ice crystals growth to align particles. Afterwards, ice is removed by lyophilization resulting in an aligned porous structure.<br/>DCW is demonstrated with water-based bio-inks composed of cellulose nanocrystals and xyloglucan, both of which are important components of the plant cell wall. Detailed morphological examination coupled with studies of ice growth and crystallite formation indicate a change in the pore structure of the aerogels from organized and tubular to disordered and flakey with increasing xyloglucan content. The resulted aerogels structures are reminiscent of the plant cell wall structure of various wood species and may be useful as wood mimics for model studies.

Direct cryo writing of aerogels inspired by the plant cell wall by 3D printing of aligned cellulose nanocrystals

2019 Spring National Meeting

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