Electrochemical 3D printing of metals for sensing application

Abstract

The aim of this study is the development and application of electrochemical 3D printing for fabricating metal and alloy structures, focusing on its potential for creating catalytic sensors. The work begins with modifications to a traditional Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printer to enable the electrochemical deposition of metals. Copper was initially chosen to test the system, and its deposition was characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These techniques revealed the influence of varying voltages and electrolyte concentrations on the morphology and composition of the printed copper structures. Building on this foundation, the study then shifts to the fabrication of Ni-Co alloy structures on FTO substrates using the developed electrochemical 3D printing technique. The Ni-Co alloy was specifically chosen for its catalytic properties, making it suitable for glucose-sensing applications. The fabricated sensors were characterized and tested for their electrochemical performance in glucose detection, utilizing cyclic voltammetry (CV). The sensors demonstrated significant redox activity, attributed to the Ni(OH)2/NiOOH redox couple, confirming their effectiveness in glucose oxidation.