Influences of the solid load on the microstructure and compressive behavior of Fe2O3 scaffolds manufactured by freeze-casting using stearic acid as dispersant agent

Porous materials manufactured by freeze-casting are demonstrating potential application as oxygen carriers for the production and purification of hydrogen, or anode material lithium-ion batteries. However, to obtain required pore morphology sufficient mechanical strength, suspension processing parameters must be controlled. Fe2O3 nanoparticles/camphene suspensions were fabricated using stearic acid dispersant agent showing a low-viscosity (130 mPa·s) with high solid volume fraction (0.3). Suspensions show shear-thinning behavior according Sisko model maximum packing 0.569 estimated from zero porosity sample. A modified Krieger Dougherty was introduced incorporate influence particle-aspect ratio. The scaffolds shown gradient size along freezing direction, which diminished fraction, compression strength improved reduction fitted minimum area model.