Prospects for SLS 3D printing of PA12/bentonite/kaolinite composite membrane

• PA-12/bentonite/kaolinite composite membranes successfully manufactured using selective laser sintering. • Mineral phases do not change their phase composition after sintering. • SEM/EDS confirm the macroporous structure of the composite membrane and uniform dispersion distribution. • The membranes have high flexural strength. The paper demonstrates for the first time the possibility of obtaining PA12/bentonite/kaolinite composite membrane by selective laser sintering to evaluate the possibility of obtaining a polymer-mineral membrane by 3D printing. Diffraction analysis showed that Selective Laser Sintering preserves the crystalline integrity of the mineral and polymer phases without forming new structures. According to low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption data, a sharp decrease in pore volume was observed compared to the ceramic components of the membrane, indicating the blocking of ceramic particles by the polyamide matrix because of sintering. Mapping of electronic images indicates the formation of a surface macroporous architecture with uniform dispersion of all elements. The obtained membrane is characterized by sufficient flexural strength (22-29 MPa) and a small but reproducible water permeability (at the level of 40 cm 3 /min), which, in our opinion, is due to the presence of a small number of microchannels formed during printing. Successful 3D printing of the powder mixture confirmed its stable fluidity, uniform distribution of powder materials, and absence of defects during laser sintering. The results demonstrate that polyamide and aluminosilicate-based composites are compatible with 3D printing and promising for further development to create a mechanically strong, stable membrane with controllable architecture and structure.