Applicability of Selected 3D Printing Materials in Electrochemistry

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• 3D printing materials (3DPMs) are increasingly used in electrochemical applications.
• Understanding the chemical and structural stability of 3DPMs is crucial for reliable electrochemical platforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the chemical and structural stability of common 3DPMs when exposed to organic solvents and supporting electrolytes.
• To evaluate the impact of this exposure on material properties like flexibility, hardness, and color.
• To assess the performance of electrochemical platforms manufactured with these 3DPMs.

Main Methods:

• Four 3DPMs (Clear photopolymer, Elastic photopolymer, PET filament, PLA filament) were subjected to various organic solvents and supporting electrolytes.
• Material properties including stability, solubility, structural changes, flexibility, hardness, and color change were measured.
• Electrochemical performance was evaluated using redox probes and monitoring potential windows and interferences before and after material exposure.

Main Results:

• Differential stability and solubility were observed across the four 3DPMs when exposed to different solvents and electrolytes.
• Significant changes in flexibility, hardness, and color were noted for some materials post-exposure.
• Electrochemical performance, including potential windows and redox probe behavior, varied depending on the 3DPM and electrolyte used, with some materials introducing electrochemically active interferences.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a comprehensive stability profile for four common 3DPMs in electrochemical environments.
• Results highlight the importance of selecting appropriate 3DPMs based on the specific solvent and electrolyte conditions for electrochemical applications.
• This research offers essential guidance for the development and manufacturing of robust 3D-printed electrochemical platforms.