Preparation of Graphene and the Uses in 3D Printing

The incorporation of graphene into 3D printing technology has brought a new perspective for several industries. This review explores the methods applied in creating graphene, including mechanical exfoliation and chemical vapor deposition. The significance for developing high-quality graphene in 3D printing is also discussed. Among the 3D printing processes, direct ink writing (DIW) is one of the most promising methods for fabricating graphene-based structures. The critical concerns of this technique are concerning with ink rheology and material purity. Meanwhile, contributions related to the other manufacturing techniques including fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA) are also discussed. The cost-effectiveness of FDM is still questioned. The challenge of the uniform dispersion of graphene in filaments has to be solved. SLA offers precision at the cost of complexity in resin formulation. While the incorporation of graphene significantly enhances the conductivity, mechanical strength, and thermal stability of 3D-printed materials, challenges regarding scalability and environmental impact still remain. In the future, further developments in graphene-based 3D printing techniques may concerning with the manufacturing from aerospace components to flexible electronics. The status and challenges of this technology are also pointed out in this work.