3D-Printed Carbon Black/PLA Electrodes for Detection of Lead and Copper in Water

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has significantly advanced electrochemical sensing by enabling the rapid development of low-cost, customizable sensor platforms. In this work, fused deposition modeling (FDM) was employed to fabricate electrodes composed of carbon black and polylactic acid (CB/PLA) for the electrochemical detection of lead (Pb²⁺) and copper (Cu²⁺) in aqueous solutions. A dedicated electrochemical pretreatment process markedly improved electrode sensitivity, yielding detection limits of 10⁻⁵ M for Pb²⁺ and 10⁻⁶ M for Cu²⁺, as determined by cyclic voltammetry. Impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed enhanced electrical conductivity following pretreatment, attributed to increased exposure of electroactive carbon black sites. These 3D-printed electrodes thus represent a sustainable and cost-effective approach for on-site monitoring, offering a practical solution for real-time analysis of heavy metal contaminants in various environmental settings. Future studies will focus on optimizing electrode design and expanding the range of detectable contaminants to enhance applicability in environmental monitoring.