Mechanical, Thermal, and Photocatalytic Properties of TiO₂/ZnO Hybrid Composites Fabricated via Additive Manufacturing

Year 2024, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 149 - 158, 31.12.2024

Saadet Güler

https://doi.org/10.53501/rteufemud.1593568

Abstract

This study explores the fabrication and characterization of TiO₂/ZnO hybrid nanocomposites using stereolithography (SLA), a cutting-edge additive manufacturing technique. Hybrid composites were prepared by incorporating 0.5 wt.% nano-TiO₂ and varying ZnO concentrations (0.1 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, and 0.5 wt.%) into an epoxy/acrylate-based resin.
All composite samples were designed in SolidWorks, printed with an LCD-based SLA printer, and UV-cured for structural stabilization. A series of analyses were conducted to evaluate their morphological, mechanical, thermal, and photocatalytic properties. SEM analysis showed uniform particle dispersion at lower ZnO concentrations, while higher addded caused agglomeration. XRD confirmed the anatase phase of TiO₂ and the wurtzite structure of ZnO, ensuring their structural stability. TGA results showed improved thermal resistance for the hybrid composites compared to the pure resin, highlighting the synergistic effects of TiO₂ and ZnO in mitigating thermal degradation. Mechanical tests showed significant improvements in flexural strength and hardness, with the TZ5 composite (0.5% w/w TiO₂ and ZnO) showing the best performance due to optimum filler distribution. Photocatalytic tests showed superior Methylene Blue degradation for the hybrid composites, with TZ5 achieving the highest efficiency (80.9%) due to the synergistic effects of TiO₂ and ZnO. These results highlight the potential of SLA-manufactured composites for environmental and energy applications.

Keywords

Additive manufacturing, stereolithography (SLA), TiO₂/ZnO hybrid composites, material characterization.

Eklemeli İmalat Yöntemiyle Üretilen TiO₂/ZnO Hibrit Kompozitlerin Mekanik, Termal ve Fotokatalitik Özellikleri

Abstract

Bu çalışma, son teknoloji bir katkı üretim tekniği olan stereolitografi (SLA) kullanılarak TiO₂/ZnO hibrit nanokompozitlerin üretimini ve karakterizasyonunu araştırmaktadır. Hibrit kompozitler, epoksi/akrilat bazlı bir reçineye %0,5 ağırlıkça nano-TiO₂ ve değişen ZnO konsantrasyonları (%0,1 ağırlıkça, %0,3 ağırlıkça ve %0,5 ağırlıkça) eklenerek hazırlanmıştır.Tüm kompozit numuneler SolidWorks'te tasarlanmış, LCD tabanlı bir SLA yazıcıyla basılmış ve yapısal stabilizasyon için UV ile kürlenmiştir. Morfolojik, mekanik, termal ve fotokatalitik özelliklerini değerlendirmek için bir dizi analiz yürütülmüştür. SEM analizi, düşük ZnO konsantrasyonlarında düzgün parçacık dağılımı gösterirken, daha yüksek eklemeler aglomerasyona neden olmuştur. XRD, TiO₂'nin anataz fazını ve ZnO'nun wurtzite yapısını doğrulayarak yapısal stabilitelerini garantilemiştir. TGA sonuçları, saf reçineye kıyasla hibrit kompozitler için geliştirilmiş termal direnç gösterdi ve TiO₂ ve ZnO'nun termal bozulmayı azaltmadaki sinerjik etkilerini vurguladı. Mekanik testler, eğilme mukavemeti ve sertlikte önemli iyileştirmeler gösterdi ve TZ5 kompoziti (%0,5 w/w TiO₂ ve ZnO), optimum dolgu dağılımı nedeniyle en iyi performansı gösterdi. Fotokatalitik testler, hibrit kompozitler için üstün Metilen Mavisi bozunması gösterdi ve TZ5, TiO₂ ve ZnO'nun sinerjik etkileri nedeniyle en yüksek verimliliğe (%80,9) ulaştı. Bu sonuçlar, SLA ile üretilen kompozitlerin çevre ve enerji uygulamaları için potansiyelini vurguladı.

Keywords

eklemeli imalat, stereolitografi (SLA), TiO₂/ZnO hibrit kompozitler, malzeme karakterizasyonu.

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