Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Wild Jujube Pit/Hydroxyapatite Based on 3D Printing

In this study, wild jujube pit (WJ) was used to compose with hydroxyapatite (HA) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) based on 3D printing. The properties of WJ and its alkali/silane treatments (WJS), PLA/WJS/HA composites powder and their 3D-printed samples were investigated by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, simultaneous thermal analyzer, a melt flow tester, a scanning electron microscope, and a universal mechanical testing machine. The results showed that few amounts of WJS or HA enhanced the reactivity of PLA. The 3D-printed PLA/WJS/HA composite showed much higher water absorption than PLA, indicating its enhanced hydrophilicity and biodegradability. The inputting of HA and WJS increased the tensile strain of PLA, indicating better plasticity. Finally, porous PLA/WJS/HA scaffolds with interconnected pores in size of 0.8 mm and rougher surface were fabricated. The scaffold with the lowest compression strength did not crack after being compressed 75% of its height, demonstrating an excellent stiffness. Those values suggested that the biomass waste, WJ, can be effectively utilized to prepare PLA/WJ/HA composite, which has the potential to be used as bone scaffolds and other lighter weight structural parts.