3D‐Printed Silicone Materials with Hydrogen Getter Capability

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2018-04, Vol.28 (17), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Ortiz‐Acosta, Denisse, Moore, Tanya, Safarik, Douglas J., Hubbard, Kevin M., Janicke, Michael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benzene; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemical analysis; composites; direct ink writing; Elastomers; Gettering; Getters; Hydrogen; Materials science; polymeric materials; Silicone resins; Silicones; Three dimensional composites; Three dimensional printing
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201707285

Organic getters are used to reduce the amount of reactive hydrogen in applications such as nuclear plants and transuranic waste. The present study examines the performance of getter loaded silicone elastomers in reducing reactive hydrogen gas from the gas phase and their capability of being 3D printed using direct ink writing techniques. The samples are placed in closed vessels and exposed to hydrogen atmosphere at pressures of 580 torr and 750 mtorr and at a temperature of 25 °C. The hydrogen consumption is measured as a function of time and normalized to getter concentration in the polymer. The performance of the getter‐loaded silicone elastomer containing 1,4‐bis[phenylethynyl]benzene (DEB) as the organic getter and Pd/C catalyst (ratio of 3:1 DEB to catalyst) decreases with increasing the resin's curing temperature. Chemical analysis suggests that DEB reacts with the silicone resin at high temperatures. In addition, it is demonstrated that the increased surface area of 3D printed composites results in improved getter performance. Organic getters used to remove reactive hydrogen from sealed containers are manufactured using direct ink writing techniques. Results suggest that the hydrogenation performance of 3D printed getter materials can be controlled with the microstructure. A 3D printed getter material exhibits higher reaction rates than the nonprinted counterpart as a result of the higher surface area.