Printability, shape-memory, and mechanical properties of PHB/PCL/CNFs composites

Shape-memory polymers have attracted attention as smart implant materials in recent years because they are lightweight, low-cost, easily processable, and because they undergo large deformation. Here, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were used as a reinforcement for polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/polycaprolactone (PCL) composites to improve mechanical properties. The composites were investigated by rheological tests, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, mechanical property tests, and shape-memory tests. The printability of PHB/PCL/CNFs composites was demonstrated by using them to print interconnected porous structures with a gyroid surface. The results showed that the PHB/PCL (80:20) composites with 1 wt% CNF displayed the best comprehensive mechanical and shape-memory properties. As a functional verification, a model of the self-opening hand was fabricated by 3D printing, and its deformation and recovery capabilities were evaluated.

Automated summary

This study utilized cellulose nanofibers as reinforcement in polyhydroxybutyrate/polycaprolactone composites to improve mechanical properties and demonstrated the printability of interconnected porous structures with a gyroid surface. The PHB/PCL (80:20) composites with 1 wt% CNF showed the best comprehensive mechanical and shape-memory properties.