Additive manufacturing of WS2-reinforced SiOC ceramic lattices with integrated mechanical, thermoelectric and strain-sensing functionalities

Herein, we investigate the effect of varying tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ) loadings (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 wt.% within the preceramic polymer) on the multifunctional capabilities of silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramics. Gyroid lattices were produced by digital light processing (DLP) using a polysiloxane-based preceramic resin with varying WS 2 loadings, followed by pyrolysis at 800 °C in an inert atmosphere. The addition of nanofillers substantially enhanced electrical conductivity, peaking at 1.0 wt.% WS 2 , despite the relatively low pyrolysis temperature that usually restricts carbon ordering in SiOC. Simultaneously, thermal conductivity declined as WS 2 content increased, caused by phonon scattering at the interfaces of the filler and matrix and throughout the designed gyroid framework, allowing for some decoupling of electronic and phononic transport. The 1.0 wt.% WS 2 concentration exhibited the highest power factor at room temperature and demonstrated an improved thermoelectric response relative to neat SiOC at 400 °C, whereas the 3.0 wt.% WS 2 showed the maximum ZT at higher temperatures (∼3 × 10 -6 ). The electromechanical sensitivity showed a significant enhancement, with a peak elastic gauge factor (∼121) observed at 1.0 wt.% WS 2 , signifying an ideal percolation network that is very responsive to deformation. The significance of this study lies in the potential of WS 2 /SiOC as multifunctional materials that combine thermoelectric functionality with mechanical strength and piezoresistive sensing in conditions where conventional materials are not suitable.