The role of electrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis treatment in the enhancement of the electrochemical properties of 3D-printed carbon black/poly(lactic acid) structures

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is beginning to play an unprecedented role in developing many applications for industrial or personalized products. The conductive composite structures require additional treatment achieve electroactive surface useful electrochemical devices. In this paper, the surfaces of carbon black/poly(lactic acid) CB-PLA printouts were activated by electrolysis enzymatic digestion with proteinase K, a simultaneous combination both. proposed modification protocols allow tailoring electrochemically active and electron transfer kinetics determined techniques (CV, EIS) [Fe(CN)6]4-/3- redox probe. X-ray photon spectroscopy SEM imaging applied determine delivered chemistry. hydrolysis under alkaline conditions anodic polarization greatly impacted charge kinetics. PLA K led highly efficient results, yet requires unsatisfactory prolonged activation duration 72 h, which can be efficiently reduced carried out presence enzyme. Our studies hint that protocol originates from electropolymerization rather than synergistic interaction between hydrolysis. detailed mechanism supported promising new route time-efficient environmentally-friendly procedure.