Published January 2025 | Supplemental Material
Journal Article Open

Multifunctional Biocomposite Materials from Chlorella vulgaris Microalgae

  • 1. ROR icon California Institute of Technology
  • 2. ROR icon Harvard University
An error occurred while generating the citation.

Abstract

Extrusion 3D-printing of biopolymers and natural fiber-based biocomposites enables the fabrication of complex structures, ranging from implants' scaffolds to eco-friendly structural materials. However, conventional polymer extrusion requires high energy consumption to reduce viscosity, and natural fiber reinforcement often requires harsh chemical treatments to improve adhesion. We address these challenges by introducing a sustainable framework to fabricate natural biocomposites using Chlorella vulgaris microalgae as the matrix. Through bioink optimization and process refinement, we produced lightweight, multifunctional materials with hierarchical architectures. Infrared spectroscopy analysis reveals that hydrogen bonding plays a critical role in the binding and reinforcement of Chlorella cells by hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). As water content decreases, the hydrogen bonding network evolves from water-mediated interactions to direct hydrogen bonds between HEC and Chlorella, enhancing the mechanical properties. A controlled dehydration process maintains continuous microalgae morphology, preventing cracking. The resulting biocomposites exhibit a bending stiffness of 1.6 GPa and isotropic heat transfer and thermal conductivity of 0.10 W/mK at room temperature, demonstrating effective thermal insulation. These characteristics make Chlorella biocomposites promising candidates for applications requiring both structural performance and thermal insulation, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional materials in response to growing environmental demands.

Copyright and License

© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Acknowledgement

I.K. and C.D. acknowledge the NSF for their financial support through the Grant No. 2308575. This work was supported in part by the Resnick Sustainability Institute at Caltech. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support and infrastructure provided for this work by The Kavli Nanoscience Institute at Caltech. I.K. acknowledges Fulbright Israel for the financial support. D.T. and M.B. acknowledge financial support from the Harvard University Center for Green Buildings and Cities and the Joint Institute for Housing Studies. The authors acknowledge Prof. Sergio Pellegrino, and the technical support provided by Dr. Rachel Behrens on the DMA tests.

Supplemental Material

Supporting Information: adma202413618-sup-0001-SuppMat.pdf

Files

adma202413618-sup-0001-suppmat.pdf
Files (1.3 MB)
Name Size Download all
md5:cb99f44198e9dbf5ace4cdab5a222257
1.3 MB Preview Download

Additional details

Created:
January 31, 2025
Modified:
January 31, 2025