3D printing to innovate biopolymer materials for demanding applications: A review

Biopolymers are widely available, low-/nontoxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, chemically versatile, and inherently functional, making them highly potential for a broad range of applications such as biomedicine, food, textile, cosmetics. 3D printing (3DP) is capable fabricating some customized, complex material structures composed single or multiple constituents that cannot be achieved by conventional methodologies (e.g. internal design); thus, 3DP can greatly expand the application biopolymer materials. This review presents comprehensive survey latest literature in technology materials from biopolymers polysaccharides proteins. The most commonly used techniques (i.e. inkjet printing, extrusion-based stereolithography, selective laser sintering, binder jetting) biomedical food fields discussed. Critical factors affecting quality accuracy 3D-printed constructs, including rheological characteristics, parameters rate, nozzle diameter, movement height), post-printing processes baking, drying, crosslinking) analyzed. properties emerging biomedical, even wider wastewater treatment sensing) summarized evaluated. Finally, challenges future perspectives provide insights into development new biopolymer-based inks with enhanced functionality.