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Fabrication of Polycarbonate-Silica Polymer Nanocomposites Layer by Layer Through 3D Printing

Graduate #72
Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: Materials Science

Chibu Umerah - Tuskegee University
Co-Author(s): Mohanad Idrees, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL; Vijaya K. Rangari, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL; Shaik Jeelani, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL



3D printing is a technique that has vastly grown in the engineering field because of its unique capabilities. Polycarbonate has become a thermoplastic of interest to 3D print due to excellent mechanical and optical properties. Silica has been used as a filler to improve mechanical properties. Polycarbonate and silica are known for their optical properties here in this study we explored the polymer nanocomposite fabrication layer by layer to improve the optical and mechanical properties. However, preliminary studies on this polycarbonate 3D printing show the change of crystallinity and optical properties. The polycarbonate pellets and silica nano powder were heated at 120oC for 6 hours. Afterwards they were blended and extruded at 265-280oC to have the highest transparency. The filaments created were the neat polycarbonate, 0.5% SiO2, 1% SiO2, 3% SiO2 and 5% SiO2. Then the filaments were 3D printed to create 1 layer and 3 layers of each sample. The materials were then characterized using the UV-Vis for its optical properties, tensile and flexure tests for its mechanical, and the TGA and DSC for its thermal properties. The transmittance of the material has decreased compared to that of neat polycarbonate. The layer by layer process affects the transmittance due to light traveling the first layer. The second and third layer fails to transmit light as well as the first layer. Increasing the loading of silica into the polycarbonate deteriorates the optical properties. The material becomes translucent. The mechanical properties decreased and the thermal properties received a slight change compared to that of the neat materials. Polycarbonate-silica has decrease in transmittance due to the layer by layer process from the 3D printer as well as its mechanical properties. However, the thermal properties of the composite received a slight change. With such tests conducted, the application for this material can serve for the automotive industry and for thin film applications.

Not Submitted

Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF-DMR-165 9506, NSF-RISE #1459007 ; NSF-CREST#1137681; NSF-MRI-1531934

Faculty Advisor: Vijaya K. Rangari, vrangari@tuskegee.edu

Role: The synthesis and characterization of the samples.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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