Low cost rotating disc electrode built using accessible hand tools and 3D printing.

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Rotating disc electrodes (RDEs) are essential tools in electrochemistry for controlling mass transport.
• Commercial RDEs are prohibitively expensive for many research groups and educational institutions.
• Existing low-cost alternatives often require precision machining.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, accessible rotating disc electrode (RDE) prototype.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating RDEs using 3D printing and common tools.
• To provide reproducible electrochemical data comparable to commercial instruments.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an RDE prototype using a 3D printing design.
• Assembly with common hand tools.
• Testing and validation of the prototype in electrochemical experiments.

Main Results:

• The 3D-printed RDE prototype was successfully fabricated at a significantly lower cost.
• The prototype yielded clean and reproducible electrochemical data.
• The design facilitates production in diverse settings, including those with limited resources.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing offers a viable and affordable method for producing functional rotating disc electrodes.
• This accessible RDE design can democratize electrochemical research and education.
• The prototype is particularly relevant for resource-limited environments, such as in South Africa.