3D printing of hausa potato starch: Assessing a new dimension of cold plasma treatment using varied feed gas

3D printing is a technology proficient in producing complex objects in an appealing design with precise composition and dimensions. This study employed cold plasma (CP) to modify hausa potato starch, specifically for 3D printing applications. CP treatment using four distinct feed gases (oxygen, argon, air, and nitrogen) was applied to investigate their impact on starch properties and printability. Findings indicated that type of feed gas selected for CP production significantly altered the physicochemical characteristics of the starch, influencing the rheological properties and printability. All samples exhibited 3D printability, with argon CP-treated starch showing the best printability. Oxygen and argon CP-treated starch samples showed an increased relative crystallinity, gelatinization enthalpy, and peak intensity of the C-O-C bond along with enhanced gel strength, viscoelasticity, and rigidity. Conversely, nitrogen and air CP-treatment caused a decreased relative crystallinity and gelatinization enthalpy and increased peak intensity of OH groups. These changes resulted in altered rheological behavior and printability of the modified starch gels. The CP-Ar sample exhibited superior printing precision with a K value of 3162 Pa & sdot;sn. The CP-Ar sample exhibited printability that closely aligned with the CAD model, followed by CP-Air, while CP-O2 and CP-N2 showed lower printability.