Photo-cationic polymerizable ceramic slurry for the fabrication of ceramic structures in three-dimensional printing

Abstract

Cycloaliphatic epoxides exhibit post-light irradiation heat-induced polymerization, creating warp-resistant green bodies during sintering. However, their use in light polymerization three-dimensional (3D) printing is limited by slow photo-curing speeds. In this study, a photo-cationic polymerizable ceramic slurry was developed for 3D printing by mixing oxetane with cyclo-aliphatic epoxide. This mixture improved photo-curing speed, reduced resin viscosity, and enhanced the ceramic slurry's solid content. Additionally, we optimized the slurry by considering the specific and content ratio of photosensitizers and light absorbers. The optimized slurry polymerized unreacted functional groups in the polymer, improving the fracture strength of the green bodies through enhanced crosslinking density and uniformity in each layer. Ultimately, a sintered body without warpage was produced by the improved green bodies. This approach provides a solution related to controlling the photocuring speed and expands the potential applications of 3D printing in areas where the precision and stability of the printing material are required.