Figure 3.

Schematic representation of nanocomposite hydrogels. Hydrogel-based inks can be reinforced with different types of nanofillers such as carbonaceous fillers for conductive properties (graphene, carbon nanotubes, etc.) (adapted from ref (13). Copyright 2021 Elsevier), metallic nanoparticles such as gold nanorods for optical or heating properties (adapted from ref (12). Copyright 2017 John Wiley & Sons and ref (18). Copyright 2020 John Wiley & Sons), or clay-based fillers as mechanical reinforcements (laponite, montmorillonite, silica, etc.) (adapted from refs (3, 14). Copyright 2021 Elsevier). The choice of the nanoparticles is driven by the desired final properties of the printed 3D models.