Impact of 3D Printing Parameters on the Electrochemical Response of Additively Manufactured Devices

Additive manufacturing, particularly fused deposition modeling (FDM), has emerged as a promising approach for producing electrochemical sensors based on conductive thermoplastic composites. In this study, the effects of various printing parameters (extrusion temperature, layer height and width, printing speed, and the number of conductive layers) on the electrochemical performance of PLA/CB electrodes fabricated via FDM were investigated. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses showed that properly adjusting these parameters promoted the formation of more efficient conductive pathways and reduced charge transfer resistance during monitoring of the redox behavior of the potassium ferrocyanide/ferricyanide probe. Furthermore, the electrochemical performance of the device was demonstrated through the detection of different model analytes, including dopamine, catechol, hydroquinone, paracetamol, and uric acid. The device was also applied to the determination of dopamine, achieving a detection limit of 0.16 µmol L−1. Overall, the results highlighted that optimizing printing conditions is essential for improving the electrochemical performance of 3D-printed devices, reinforcing the potential of 3D printing as a promising route for the fabrication of electrodes for electroanalytical applications.