We report a CO2 laser additive manufacturing technique for depositing transparent TiO2 coatings on quartz substrates. The fabrication process involves spin-coating, evaporation of solvent using a lamp, and laser-assisted sintering. A heat transfer model optimizes laser parameters for efficient sintering without damaging the substrate. Compared to our previous studies, this approach achieves enhanced transmittance and reduced reflectance by tuning the concentration of anatase TiO2 nanoparticle (NP). At 2.5 wt.% TiO2 concentration, a transmittance of over ~91% is obtained in specific visible and infrared ranges. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that laser energy induces necking and coalescence between NPs. Raman spectroscopy analysis confirms the complete evaporation of solvent to preserve the anatase TiO2 phase with enhanced crystallinity after laser sintering, as indicated by the increased Raman peak intensity and absence of rutile formation. Profilometry analysis showed that the film thickness increases linearly with TiO2 concentration. To enhance the performance of optical TiO2 coatings, the effect of TiO2 concentration on the transmittance, reflectance, and optical constants is investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the preservation of the anatase TiO2 phase. An effective model based on porosity data accurately determines the refraction and attenuation indices of sintered NPs. The results align well with the effective medium approximation, demonstrating that increased TiO2 content enhances the refraction index. Compared to conventional deposition methods, our laser sintering technique offers lower processing temperatures, superior crystallinity control, and improved optical performance, positioning it as a promising approach for transparent coatings.
Keywords
- Anatase Tio2
- Co2 Laser
- Optical Coating
- Refraction Index
- Transmittance