Additive\nManufacturing of Transparent Silica Glass\nfrom Solutions

Abstract

A sol,\naqueous solution-based ink is presented for fabrication\nof 3D transparent silica glass objects with complex geometries, by\na simple 3D printing process conducted at room temperature. The ink\ncombines a hybrid ceramic precursor that can undergo both the photopolymerization\nreaction and a sol–gel process, both in the solution form,\nwithout any particles. The printing is conducted by localized photopolymerization\nwith the use of a low-cost 3D printer. Following printing, upon aging\nand densifying, the resulting objects convert from a gel to a xerogel\nand then to a fused silica. The printed objects, which are composed\nof fused silica, are transparent and have tunable density and refractive\nindices.