The crucial role of hydroxyethyl methacrylate in the sintering of fused silica glass using ultraviolet-cured silica nanoparticle slurries: dispersing nanoparticles

Fused silica glass is prepared by dispersing silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) through the hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The dispersion of SiNPs was characterized using transmission electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. The rheological properties and functional groups of SiNP slurries were analyzed utilizing a rotational rheometer and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The sintering quality of the fused silica glass was characterized through scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The research results show that HEMA adsorbs on the surface of SiNP through hydrogen bonding to form a solvation layer of a certain thickness, thereby hindering the agglomeration of SiNPs. The SiNP slurry system exhibits bi-fractal properties. The viscosity and shear stress of the SiNP slurry initially decrease and then increase with increasing HEMA content. Achieving a homogeneous dispersion of SiNPs in the slurry is essential for sintering high-quality silica glass. The internal voids of agglomerates are the origin of crack formation.