Melting and solution mixing in the production of photocatalytic filaments for 3D printing

3D printing is a fast-growing technology with benefits like rapid prototyping and versatile design capabilities. However, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) needs improvement due to limited material options. This study proposes a method for producing photocatalytic prototypes using 3D printing/FDM, focusing on environmental applications like contaminant degradation. Key steps included filament production through melt and solution mixing, defining geometries, 3D printing functional prototypes, and characterizing materials chemically, thermally, microscopically, and mechanically. The photocatalytic capacity was evaluated via tetracycline degradation, showing 45–60% efficiency for ZnO filaments and up to 65% for TiO2 filaments. ZnO-functionalized parts maintained 80% removal capacity after 10 reuse cycles without activation, indicating reduced leaching and photo corrosion. This study advances 3D printing/FDM research for environmental applications, providing a methodology for producing effective photocatalytic prototypes. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd