Universal Carbonizable Filaments for 3D Printing

Abstract

AbstractCarbon additive manufacturing emerges as a powerful technique for crafting tunable 3D carbon architectures, employing multiscale arrangement and topological design for mechanical and functional applications. However, the potential of 3D carbon fabrication is constrained when utilizing state‐of‐the‐art feedstock and manufacturing routes. To address these limitations, a 3D carbon fabrication strategy is developed named carbonizable filament technology (CAFIT). In CAFIT, the evolution of high‐loaded carbon composite filaments broadens the capabilities of straightforward 3D printing technology by ensuring structural stability for subsequent post‐carbonization to achieve scalable and engineered 3D carbon structures. This strategy has strengths regarding 1) simplicity, 2) applicability to a variety of carbon materials, and 3) creating nearly replicated 3D carbon structures with multiscale features. The fundamental mechanisms governing the processability of the universal filament and structural change of carbon particles throughout the process using carbon nanotubes as an example are explored. Moreover, through simulation and demonstration, the adaptability of CAFIT is illustrated by utilizing a wide range of carbon materials, including low‐dimensional nano/micro carbons (carbon blacks, carbon nanotubes, and graphenes), as well as carbon fibers, to fabricate 3D architected carbon structures.