Influence of Activated Carbon and Magnesium Oxide on Thermal, Mechanical, and Degradation Properties in 3D Printing Filaments

Abstract

3D printing has expanded into diverse fields, including water treatment, sensors, scaffolds, and agriculture. This study evaluates the incorporation of magnesium oxide into activated carbon within a commercial PLA/PBAT blend for the production of filaments via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The addition of magnesium oxide increased the elastic modulus by more than 50% without altering tensile strength. Density reached up to 1.3 g/cm3, with no significant impact on the application. The combined effect of magnesium oxide and activated carbon enhanced soil degradability to approximately 8% within 60 days, compared with formulations containing only activated carbon. Thermal variations, such as an increase in crystallization temperature from 67.5 °C to 76 °C, did not compromise processability. Despite the dimensional instability of the filaments, it was possible to print functional parts with good quality. These results demonstrate a sustainable and innovative route for developing advanced filaments tailored for additive manufacturing within the context of Industry 4.0.