Adding functionality to 3-D printed specimens presents a significant opportunity to benefit from the advantages of additive manufacturing while expanding utility of printed parts beyond structural components. Here, conducting composite filaments consisting of a poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) additive were created via a solution casting process and used in fused filament fabrication (FFF). To promote intimate mixing, graphene oxide was reduced in a solution containing the matrix polymer and subsequently coprecipitated to produce a well-dispersed nanocomposite material. This strategy provides the capacity to vary the amount of the rGO additive incorporated in the blend. After filament extrusion, the resulting nanocomposites were printed by fused filament fabrication. As expected, electrical testing of the printed parts revealed increases in conductivity with increasing rGO loading level. The current-carrying capacity allowed voltage to be applied to printed specimens, resulting in Joule heating of the printed sample. We will highlight changes in mechanical properties as a function of applied potential and EMI shielding behavior of these conducting composite specimens. In total, the results demonstrate the utility of the solution casting method as well as the opportunities to provide functionality based on the current-carrying capacity of the FFF-printed parts.

Conducting nanocomposite blends of reduced graphene oxide and poly(methyl methacrylate) printed by fused filament fabrication

ACS Spring 2022

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