Use of Carbon Nanostructures in Various 3D Printing Techniques

Abstract

A scheme for the full cycle of developing 3D products containing carbon nanostructures (CNSs) was developed. The scheme takes into account the state of initial carbon for the synthesis of CNSs and involves the preparation of CNSs for various 3D printing techniques (FDM, CJP, SLA, SLS) with post-processing of the printed 3D products. The developed cycle allows for the transformation of graphite or other carbon-containing materials into functional 3D products using a 3D printer. The 3D development cycle consists of three stages: Stage I is intended to select the starting material and method for CNS synthesis, Stage II involves preparation of CNSs as a consumable for 3D printing, and Stage III includes printing of a 3D product followed by post-processing. Each stage is described in detail and tested for each 3D printing technique (FDM, CJP, SLA, SLS). The entire range of CNSs (fullerenes and fullerene-like nanostructures, graphenes, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), nanocomposites, etc.) and their synthesis employing three methods (plasmaassisted chemical synthesis in gaseous and liquid environments and pyrolytic synthesis) in the 3D printing cycle were analyzed. The advantages and disadvantages of the considered 3D printing processes were addressed, and results of the comparison were summarized in a table. Materials for 3D printing and development of associated composites containing soluble and insoluble CNSs were studied. Methods for processing CNSs and preparing CNS-based composites prior to their use in various 3D printing processes were developed. The post-processing results for 3D products prepared with the FDM, CJP, SLA, and SLS 3D printing processes were provided.