SLA printing of shape memory bio-based composites consisting of soybean oil and cellulose nanocrystals

Improving the sustainability and processability of shape memory composites is key to expanding their applications. This work introduces a novel bio-based shape memory composite resin with renewable cellulose nanocrystals, suitable for stereolithography (SLA) printing. We prepared epoxy soybean oil-based composites by incorporating Itaconic acid monomethyl ester (IAME) modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs-IAME) into IAME modified epoxy soybean oil (IESO). The CNCs-IAME/IESO composite resin, with a viscosity of 1.01–1.22 Pa•s, is ideal for SLA printing. Adding 0.75 wt% CNCs-IAME particles enhances mechanical properties, yielding a tensile strength of 19.54 MPa and elongation at a break of 34.03%. Demonstrated applications include flexible supports and temperature-responsive sensors. This innovative composite offers excellent sustainability and SLA-printability, showing great potential for new bio-based heat-activated shape memory materials.