Incorporation of acrylated cellulose nanocrystals into photocurable resin for high-fidelity printing of transparent 3D structures

The incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) into trimethylolpropane formal acrylate (CTFA) ink for digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing has been found to increase light scattering, which subsequently reduces the mechanical properties of printed structures. In this study, acrylated cellulose nanocrystals (A-CNCs) were synthesized by treating sulfonated CNCs with methacrylic acid and were successfully integrated into a UV-curable resin for DLP 3D printing. The effect of ultrasonication on A-CNC dispersion within the resin was assessed by measuring the change in the transmittance of suspensions. The composite resin ink containing A-CNCs retained transparency, and the resulting printed structures demonstrated significant mechanical reinforcement even at low A-CNC concentrations. This improvement is attributed to the high colloidal stability of A-CNCs within the ink. Furthermore, the suitability of the resin for 3D printing was confirmed through the examination of the morphologies of the printed structures. Moreover, the structures printed using A-CNC/CTFA exhibited shape memory behavior in response to thermal stimuli, affirming the potential of the composite resin in bioengineering applications. • A-CNCs enhance transparency and mechanical strength in DLP 3D printing • Ultrasonication improves dispersion of A-CNC in photocurable resin ink • Printed structures with A-CNC show high colloidal stability and shape memory • A-CNC composite inks maintain fidelity even at low concentrations • A-CNC/CTFA inks have potential for bioengineering applications