Synergistic Effects of Artichoke Stem Waste and TiO2 Nanoparticles in Additively Manufactured Hybrid Polymer Composites

This study addresses the critical need for sustainable material development by thoroughly investigating the synergistic effects of artichoke stem waste (ASW) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on the properties of epoxy matrix composites. This research uniquely utilizes stereolithography (SLA)-based 3D printing technology for the fabrication and characterization of polymer matrix composites. The study systematically investigates three distinct composite formulations: artichoke stem waste/epoxy, TiO2 nanoparticles/epoxy, and a novel hybrid of artichoke stem waste/TiO2 nanoparticles/epoxy composites. Each formulation was prepared at three different loading concentrations to determine their optimal performance. The fabricated composites underwent comprehensive characterization, including meticulous evaluations of their mechanical (tensile), thermal (Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)), morphological (Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)), and chemical-bonding (Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy) properties. Additionally, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and FT-IR analyses were performed to structurally characterize the raw materials (pristine (cured epoxy), ASW, and TiO2 NPs) and the final composite structures. The findings indicate that the incorporation of ASW and TiO2 NPs significantly enhances the performance of epoxy composites. This discovery is significant as it demonstrates the successful valorization of agricultural waste into high-performance composite materials and advances the capabilities of 3D printing technology in sustainable materials science. The results of this study offer critical insights, substantially contributing to the development of sustainable and high-value materials.