[Publication] Tannin-based photopolymerizable resins for 3D printing of porous carbon architectures

Carbon structures, unlike metals or polymers, can hardly be directly implemented in additive manufacturing and, when it can be achieved, their sustainable nature is extremely limited.

Our researchers have shown that porous carbon structures can be obtained by laser stereolithography of acrylate-tannin mixed resins, followed by a pyrolysis step. By modifying the initial acrylate/tannin ratio in the resin, the properties of the resultant carbon (density, porosity and mechanical properties) could be adjusted.

The moderate electrical conductivity of the structures, reaching about 7 S.cm-1, and their broad-band absorption in the microwave range, opens up possibilities for electrochemical or electromagnetic applications. Thus, the possibility of obtaining complex freestanding structures with imperceptible warpage, low volume shrinkage and adjustable density offers the opportunity to develop 3D-printed carbon materials with a significant proportion of bio-based precursors, which can be easily adapted for a large number of applications.

Title: Tannin-based resins for 3D printing of porous carbon architectures

Authors: Pauline Blyweert, Vincent Nicolas, Jan Macutkevic, Vanessa Fierro, Alain Celzard

Journal: ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering

Date of publication (online): May 2022

Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c01686

Image caption: Cover Page of ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering – Fabrication of different 3D carbon architectures from mimosa tannins