Environmentally Friendly PLA-Based Conductive Composites: Electrical and Mechanical Performance

Abstract

This review investigates recent progress in the field of PLA-based conductive composites for 3D printing. First, it introduces PLA as a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, describing its processing and recycling methods and highlighting its environmental advantages over conventional polymers. In order to evaluate its printability, PLA is briefly compared to other commonly used thermoplastics in additive manufacturing. The review then examines the incorporation of conductive fillers such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and metal particles into the PLA matrix, with a particular focus on the percolation threshold and its effect on conductivity. Critical challenges such as filler dispersion, agglomeration, and conductivity anisotropy are also highlighted. Recent results are summarized to identify promising formulations that combine improved electrical performance with acceptable mechanical integrity, while also emphasizing the structural and morphological characteristics that govern these properties. Finally, potential applications in the fields of electronics, biomedicine, energy, and electromagnetic shielding are discussed. From an overall perspective, the review highlights that while PLA-based conductive composites show great potential for sustainable functional materials, further progress is needed to improve reproducibility, optimize processing parameters, and ensure reliable large-scale applications.