Additive Manufacturing of Nano- and Microarchitected Ceramics

• Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Xifan Wang
• Subject Area: Glass, Ceramics and Derived Composites
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 429413034

The main goal of this proposal is the additive manufacturing of nano- and microarchitected ceramic nanocomposites at/with the submicrometer resolution. We hypothesize that this goal can be achieved by developing modified photocurable Si-containing preceramic resins and metal-oxoclusters functionalized with photopolymerizable groups that perfectly match fabrication technology – high resolution DLP and two photon polymerization - in terms of suitability for cross-linking in a specific wavelength range during a specific time. To reach this goal, photopolymerizable resins will be formulated from the selected Si-containing preceramic polymers with vinyl-/allyl-containing side groups and a number of purposefully synthesized metal-oxoclusters functionalized with photopolymerizable groups so that they can be cross-linked under illumination. A fundamental study will be carried on the photopolymerization mechanism and suitability of these resins for stereolithographic AM techniques. Applying these preceramic resins for conventional DLP, high resolution DLP and two photon polymerization will allow for the fabrication of complex thermoset geometries at the resolution from millimeter to submicrometer range. Subsequently, the cross-linked preceramic thermosets will be transformed into ceramics with desired composition under thermal treatment in controllable conditions (heating rate, temperature, atmosphere). The geometry of ceramic nanocomposite parts will be designed to achieve required mechanical properties and optimized mass and heat flow. Those properties will be especially addressed that are not achievable in conventional geometries (e.g mechanical metamaterials).

• DFG Programme: Research Grants