3D printed objects obtained by combination of radical photopolymerization and photo sol–gel reaction: towards reinforced thermomechanical properties

Abstract

This paper aims to fabricate reinforced polymeric objects using DLP 3D printing by combining photo sol–gel and radical photopolymerization processes. In order to achieve an efficient development of the inorganic network, the diffusion of humidity was ensured by the choice of the acrylate polymer matrix and was highlighted by ATR-FTIR. The hybrid material was compared to the organic matrix in terms of composition, viscoelasticity and mechanical properties assessed through various analyses (²⁹Si-NMR in the solid state, ATR-FTIR, DMA, tensile test at break). A wet thermal treatment combined with a UV post-cure gives rise to the highest condensation ratio of the inorganic network within the polymer matrix. The Young's modulus of the resultant hybrid material was doubled with only 2.4 wt% of the inorganic phase within the polymer matrix.