Effects of dimethylacetamide on chitosan/AgNP/GO fluid properties for 3D printing of water filtration membranes

Abstract

AbstractThis study aimed to prepare and characterize water‐soluble chitosan‐graphene oxide‐silver nanoparticles (CS‐GO‐AgNP) fluids for 3D‐inkjet printing of filtration membranes and to investigate the effects of Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) used as a co‐solvent on the rheological properties and printability of the modified chitosan fluids. DMAc concentration increase affected rheological characteristics of CS, resulting to a reduction in particle size distribution. The dynamic viscosity and shear stress of the ink reduced with increase in DMAc concentration, temperature and decrease in the mole fraction of chitosan. Surface tension of the fluid increased as the co‐solvent concentration increased, indicating a greater number of bond donor sites as a result of stronger hydrogen bond affinity of DMAc and increased molecular interactions with amide groups of CS. The optimal printability and drop formation of the modified CS ink were determined to be 63.8 mN/m (surface tension), 0.0105 Pas (viscosity), 1087 Kg/m3 (density), and a Z‐value of 6.1.