Synthesis of Materials for Additive Manufacturing of Enhanced Polymers and Textured Ceramics

This research will be divided into two sections. The first section investigates the development of textured Barium Titanate (BaTiO3) ceramics fabricated through Direct Ink Write Printing (DIW) integrated with Templated Grain Growth (TGG). This approach aims to develop lead-free piezoelectric materials with grain alignment during printing process to promote high piezoelectric performance comparable to those in lead-based ceramics. This research evaluates the impact of the DIW-TGG process on grain orientation, material densification, and piezoelectric response, illustrating its potential for developing high-performance ceramics for advanced applications such as sensors, actuators, and other piezoelectric devices. The second project explores the chemical stability and degradation characteristics of stereolithography (SLA)-printed polymers. This research evaluates the impact of varying printing parameters and post-curing procedures impact on the long-term resilience when subjected to UV exposure, humidity, and mechanical stress. The researchâ??s objective is to identify processing conditions that diminish material degradation and enhance the reliability and performance of SLA-printed components for use in high-demand industrial applications. Overall, this thesis underscores the synthesis and engineering of high-performance smart materials through additive manufacturing. The research findings support the advancement of next-generation ceramics and polymers that are sustainable and suitable for the rigorous standards of modern industries.