RESUMEN
In order to enhance the mechanical performance of three-dimensional (3D) printed structures fabricated via commercially available fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers, novel nanocomposite filaments were produced herein following a melt mixing process, and further 3D printed and characterized. Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Antimony (Sb) doped Tin Oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles (NPs), hereafter denoted as ATO, were selected as fillers for a polymeric acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) thermoplastic matrix at various weight % (wt%) concentrations. Tensile and flexural test specimens were 3D printed, according to international standards. It was proven that TiO2 filler enhanced the overall tensile strength by 7%, the flexure strength by 12%, and the micro-hardness by 6%, while for the ATO filler, the corresponding values were 9%, 13%, and 6% respectively, compared to unfilled ABS. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed the size of TiO2 (40 ± 10 nm) and ATO (52 ± 11 nm) NPs. Raman spectroscopy was performed for the TiO2 and ATO NPs as well as for the 3D printed nanocomposites to verify the polymer structure and the incorporated TiO2 and ATO nanocrystallites in the polymer matrix. The scope of this work was to fabricate novel nanocomposite filaments using commercially available materials with enhanced overall mechanical properties that industry can benefit from.
RESUMEN
In order to expand the mechanical and physical capabilities of 3D-printed structures fabricated via commercially available 3D printers, nanocomposite and microcomposite filaments were produced via melt extrusion, 3D-printed and evaluated. The scope of this work is to fabricate physically and mechanically improved nanocomposites or microcomposites for direct commercial or industrial implementation while enriching the existing literature with the methodology applied. Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO nano) and Zinc Oxide micro-sized particles (ZnO micro) were dispersed, in various concentrations, in Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) matrices and printable filament of ~1.75mm was extruded. The composite filaments were employed in a commercial 3D printer for tensile and flexion specimens' production, according to international standards. Results showed a 14% increase in the tensile strength at 5% wt. concentration in both nanocomposite and microcomposite materials, when compared to pure ABS specimens. Furthermore, a 15.3% increase in the flexural strength was found in 0.5% wt. for ABS/ZnO nano, while an increase of 17% was found on 5% wt. ABS/ZnO micro. Comparing the two composites, it was found that the ABS/ZnO microcomposite structures had higher overall mechanical strength over ABS/ZnO nanostructures.
RESUMEN
Enhancement of photoconversion efficiency (PCE) and stability in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) plasmonic organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) incorporating graphene oxide (GO) thin films as the hole transport layer (HTL) and surfactant free Au nanoparticles (NPs) between the GO HTL and the photoactive layers is demonstrated. In particular the plasmonic GO-based devices exhibited a performance enhancement by 30% compared to the devices using the traditional PEDOT:PSS layer. Likewise, they preserved 50% of their initial PCE after 45 h of continuous illumination, contrary to the PEDOT:PSS-based ones that die after 20 h. The performance increase is attributed to the improved photocurrent and fill factor owing to the enhanced exciton generation rate due to NP-induced plasmon absorption enhancement. Besides this, the stability enhancement can be attributed to limited oxygen and/or indium diffusion from the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode into the active layer. The industrial exploitation of composite GO/NPs as efficient buffer layers in OPVs is envisaged.
RESUMEN
A solution-processed graphene content was synthesized by treatment of graphite oxide (GO) with phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC) by taking advantage of the functional carboxyl groups of graphene oxide. The GO was prepared by the oxidation of natural graphite powder and was expanded by ultrasonication in order to exfoliate single or/and few-layered graphene oxide sheets. The functionalized graphene oxide, GO-PITC, can be dispersed within poly-(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and can be utilized as the electron acceptor in bulk heterojunction polymer photovoltaic cells. When P3HT is doped with GO-PITC, a great quenching of the photoluminescence of the P3HT occurred, indicating a strong electron transfer from the P3HT to the GO-PITC. The utilization of GO-PITC as the electron acceptor material in poly-(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices was demonstrated, yielding in a power conversion efficiency enhancement of 2 orders of magnitude compared with that of pristine P3HT.