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US 12,617,950 B2Granted
Polymer particles comprising lignin and related additive manufacturing methods
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsValerie M. Farrugia, Shivanthi Easwari Sriskandha
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Abstract
Thermoplastic polymer particles suitable for use in additive manufacturing and related methods may comprise lignin. For example, said polymer particles may comprise a thermoplastic polymer, a lignin, optionally an emulsion stabilizer, and optionally a compatibilizer. Said polymer particles may be produced by melt emulsification methods and be highly spherical and, consequently, suited for selective laser sintering methods of additive manufacturing.
Claims14
A composition comprising:
- polymer particles comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a lignin, an emulsion stabilizer comprising nanoparticles, and optionally a compatibilizer;
- wherein the nanoparticles are embedded in at least a portion of an outer surface of the polymer particles during a melt emulsification process forming the polymer particles, and the nanoparticles comprise metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon black, or any combination thereof;
- and
- wherein the polymer particles have an aerated density of about 0.5 g/cm3 to about 0.8 g/cm3.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- shearing a mixture comprising:
- a thermoplastic polymer, a lignin, a carrier fluid, and an emulsion stabilizer comprising nanoparticles at a temperature at or greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer to emulsify a thermoplastic polymer melt in the carrier fluid;
- cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature to form polymer particles;
- and
- separating the polymer particles from the carrier fluid, wherein the polymer particles comprise the thermoplastic polymer, the lignin, and the emulsion stabilizer;
- wherein the nanoparticles are embedded in at least a portion of an outer surface of the polymer particles, and the nanoparticles comprise metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon black, or any combination thereof;
- and
- wherein the polymer particles have an aerated density of about 0.5 g/cm3 to about 0.8 g/cm3.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.