The present study analyzes the mechanical properties of TiO2/PLA nanocomposites, in order to select the best option for filament for 3D Printing. A comparative study of nanocomposite properties has been carried out using two different TiO2 nanoparticles concentration (0.5 and 1%). Furthermore, a surface modification (functionalize) in TiO2 nanoparticles surface was performed. The morphology of the nanoparticles was characterized using a transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the PLA nanocomposites was performed, it was observed that all the nanocomposites showed good adhesion between the nanoparticles and the PLA matrix, except for the SF1 nanocomposite, which offered the lowest Young´s modulus compared to the pure PLA filament, representing energy savings in processing. Contact angle values have been obtained for PLA nanocomposites, showing wetting changes from hydrophilic (60 to 85 degrees) to hydrophobic (100 degrees) in the SF0.5 sample.

This research was funded by the Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, S.C., grant number PI- 26008. Support also appreciated to DIDET in Universidad Tecnológica de Querétaro, phD. Bernardo Von Raesfeld Porras and Laboratorio Nacional de Nanotecnología, M.S. Raúl Ochoa Gamboa