Fused deposition modeling of biodegradable PLA/MgO nanowire composites for biomedical applications: Fabrication and structural characterization

Polylactic acid (PLA) and its composites have gained significant attention for the fabrication of complex biomedical parts through three-dimensional (3D) printing. This study summarizes the 3D printing compatibility of PLA/MgO nanowire composites through fused deposition modeling (FDM). The selected PLA/MgO nanowire composition was printable under the tested condition. PLA/MgO nanowire composites exhibit 15% improved ultimate tensile stress and 14% higher elastic modulus as compared to pure PLA. In addition, the maximum load carrying ability of PLA/MgO nanowire composites increased up to 34.78% with the 155% increase in break strain and 250% energy absorption. PLA/MgO nanowire composites exhibit increased degradation probably due to the addition of MgO nanowires. The cytocompatibility results show that PLA/MgO nanowire specimens show no toxicity.