Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium Mats with Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing of PHBH and PLA Biopolymers

Huaiyou Chen; Sophie Klemm; Antonia G Dönitz; Yating Ou; Bertram Schmidt; Claudia Fleck; Ulla Simon; Christina Völlmecke

doi:10.1021/acsomega.4c07661

Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium Mats with Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing of PHBH and PLA Biopolymers

ACS Omega. 2024 Dec 3;9(50):49609-49617. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.4c07661. eCollection 2024 Dec 17.

Authors

Huaiyou Chen¹, Sophie Klemm², Antonia G Dönitz³, Yating Ou³, Bertram Schmidt⁴, Claudia Fleck², Ulla Simon¹, Christina Völlmecke³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty III Process Sciences, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Chair of Advanced Ceramic Materials, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin 10623, Germany.
² Faculty III - Process Sciences, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Chair of Materials Science & Engineering/Fachgebiet Werkstofftechnik, Technische Universität Berlin, Str. des 17. Juni 135, Berlin 10623, Germany.
³ Faculty V Mechanical Engineering and Transport Systems, Institute of Mechanics, Chair of Stability and Failure of Functionally Optimized Structures, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin 10623, Germany.
⁴ Faculty III Process Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology, Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin 10623, Germany.

Abstract

To advance the concept of a circular economy, fungal mycelium-based materials are drawing increased attention as substitutes for nonsustainable materials, such as petroleum-based and animal-derived products, due to their biodegradability, low carbon footprint, and cruelty-free nature. Addressing the challenge of mechanical properties in fungal mycelium products, this study presents a straightforward approach for reinforcing fungal mycelium mats. This is achieved by using two bio-based and biodegradable polymers, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) and polylactic acid (PLA), via material extrusion additive manufacturing (MEX AM), commonly known as 3D printing, to produce fungal mycelium-biopolymer composites. By analyzing the mechanical properties, roughness, and morphology, this study demonstrates significant improvements in ultimate tensile strength with the application of PHBH and even more with PLA, while elasticity is reduced. The study also discusses potential improvements to enhance the quality of the fungal mycelium-biopolymer composites without trading off bio-based and biodegradable features, offering a promising pathway for the development of more durable and sustainable fungal mycelium products.