Plasmas for additive manufacturing

Abstract

Additive methods for manufacturing materials have recently emerged, particularly for the fabrication of three-dimensional architectures. Because of their long history in thin-film etching and deposition, plasmas offer unique advantages for many of the materials and surface processes associated with additive manufacturing. Here, we review recent efforts that have been primarily focused on the direct writing of patterned structures and the post-treatment of printed materials. Different configurations, materials, and applications are presented. Current challenges and a future outlook are also provided. 3D printing, additive manufacturing, microdischarges, nanotechnology, roll-to-roll

Simple and Scalable Chemical Surface Patterning via Direct Deposition from Immobilized Plasma Filaments in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge

“…[ 17 , 18 ] In this realm, plasma technologies have been the tools of choice because they allow thin‐film etching and deposition. [ 19 , 20 ] In particular, dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) at atmospheric pressure are an attractive choice for industrial scale surface processing because they are scalable to large areas and can be easily implemented on process lines without the need for complex vacuum systems. In a planar DBD, the plasma is generated by ionization of gas between two plate electrodes driven by an alternating current source with the presence of at least one dielectric barrier to avoid arc formation.…”

Site‐selective atmospheric pressure plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition process for micrometric deposition of plasma‐polymerized methyl methacrylate

“…This process is perceived to become a breakthrough for the prototyping and large‐scale production of advanced microdevices in diverse fields, namely medical, automotive, optics, aeronautics, electronics, and biotechnology. [ 1–3 ] Applicability of additive manufacturing in different fields has encouraged the emergence of several techniques for site‐selective deposition and functionalization of surfaces. Inkjet printing within the past two decades has emerged as one of the preferred patterning processes in additive manufacturing, as it is a non‐contact and maskless approach.…”

Thin‐film deposition by combining plasma jet with spark discharge source at atmospheric pressure

“…Among the diverse non‐thermal plasma devices, atmospheric‐pressure plasma (APP) jets show good potential for scalability and flexibility. [ 9–11 ]…”

“…Among the diverse non-thermal plasma devices, atmospheric-pressure plasma (APP) jets show good potential for scalability and flexibility. [9][10][11] Functional thin-film coatings by APP jets are obtained through the dissociation of precursor atoms or molecules in the plasma under gas flow with subsequent polymerization and deposition on the substrate in ambient air conditions. Reactive molecular gases, organometallic and organosilicon compounds, [12] metal salts, and/or their solutions in organic solvents can be used as a precursor of target materials.…”