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

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.