Nanocellulose is popular in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility, non-toxicity, biodegradability together with its abundant and renewable resources. Recently, nanocellulose is combined with 3-Dimensional (3D) printing that has revolutionized the cellulose hydrogel scaffolds with customization, complex geometries, controlled pore structure and bioprinting. An extrudable hydrogel ink containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs, 70 wt%), sodium alginate and gelatin is used to 3D print a variety of cubic scaffolds (20 mm3) with uniform and gradient porosity. In tissue regeneration, the porosity of the scaffold plays an important role, as both macropores and micropores are needed for its efficient performance. The pore size ranges from 80-2125 um and degree of orientation of CNCs varied between 61–76%.In addition,one pot synthesis method is developed for 3D printable hydrogel ink containing zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF-8) anchored onto anionic 2,2,6,6 -tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxylradical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNF). The synthesis approach allows easy encapsulation as well as the stimuli responsive (pH dependent) release of guest molecules such as curcumin. Moreover, the flexibility and extendibility of the developed system is proved by in-situ synthesis of MIL-100 (Fe) as well as by the incorporation of methylene blue. These successful results demonstrate the potential of nanocellulose based 3D printed structures in unlimited applications.

3D printed nanocellulose scaffolds designed for biomedical applications

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.