Tailoring Zirconia Ceramic Lattice Structures with Controlled Porosity via NanoParticle Jetting

Mechanical metamaterials exhibit unique and novel mechanical properties through the rational design of their microstructures. Here, we strategically employ porous lattice structure designs to optimize mechanical properties along the loading direction, aiming to develop high-performance mechanical metamaterials. This study utilizes advanced nanoparticle jetting (NPJ) technology to fabricate porous zirconia ceramics with a micrometer to centimeter-scale lattice structures. By integrating modeling, NPJ 3D printing, and meticulous post-processing adjustments, we systematically produced porous zirconia with lattice structures exhibiting porosities of 60%, 70%, and 80%. Remarkably, the resulting compressive lattice structure demonstrates an exceptional specific strength of 426.94 MPa/(g/cm3). This research introduces an innovative approach to the design and fabrication of porous ceramics and demonstrates unprecedented controllability, providing valuable insights into the development of advanced lightweight, high-strength ceramic materials suitable for a range of engineering applications.