Work

Rheological optimization of low-methylated pectin–xyloglucan–cellulose nanocrystal composites for 3D printing: stability and printability

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Extrusion-based 3D printing of biobased hydrogels depends on ink rheology, requiring strong shear-thinning for smooth flow and sufficient yield stress to maintain shape after deposition. Polysaccharides from plant cell walls (PCW) are known as sustainable, structurally stable materials, but their three main components—cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin—have not been combined for this purpose. Here, a bioink composed of cellulose nanocrystals, xyloglucan, and pectin was developed for extrusion-based 3D printing, with its rheological properties optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), followed by comprehensive material characterization. Systematic variation in composition reveals clear relationships between rheology, print fidelity, and mechanical performance. FTIR confirms composition-dependent hydrogen bonding within inks and printed structures, along with formulation-dependent color changes, although contributions from differences in bound water cannot be excluded. Among the components, pectin has the strongest influence on rheology. Biobased inks with equal proportions of all three components (3% and 5%) show optimal printability. Compared to 3%, 5% formulations exhibit higher viscosity and yield stress, improving shape retention and pore definition. Ionic cross-linking affects geometry due to swelling, yet enhances mechanical strength. These findings highlight multicomponent plant polysaccharide inks as tunable, sustainable materials for extrusion-based additive manufacturing, mimicking natural PCW assembly.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-77497-3