Publication: Fabrication of thermochromic patch from polylactic acid (pla) using 3d printing for fever detection
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Date
2024-08-01
Authors
Nur Nazratul Hanin Binti Azhar
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Abstract
Biodegradable polymers have attracted attention arising from the growing environmental concerns. The present work deals with the preparation of a thermochromic patch from polylactic acid (PLA) using 3D printing for the application of fever detection. Body temperature accounts for one of the prominent parameters in indicating health, and conventional methods for the detection of fever hold various drawbacks, especially with infants and toddlers. This study has concern over the application of a thermochromic scheme over PLA so that it comes out in time-varying and real-time colour with rising body temperature to have a better fever detection scheme. The study comprises fabrication of thermochromic samples of PLA using various plasticizers: Polyethylene glycol (PEG), Triethyl Citrate (TEC), and Glycerol. TEC might be the best overall as a plasticizer choice due to its ability to significantly reduce Tg, enhancing both color responsiveness and response time while maintaining good reversibility. The PLA/TEC presents the combined best properties based on FTIR spectra, mechanical tensile properties, thermal properties, and measure of melt flowability. These are the interaction effects of different infill percentages with different fillings: 100, 70, and 50%, and layer thicknesses: 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mm, tested for each in the 3D printing process on the properties of the developed patches. The research is oriented to the fabrication of thermochromic PLA filament, tailored to 3D printing. The outcome of the present approach will be particularly relevant in the development of temperature-responsive applications related to health care, textiles, and smart materials.