Heterolayered carbon allotrope architectonics via multi-material 3D printing for advanced electrochemical devices

Abstract

3D printing has become a powerful technique in electrochemistry for fabricating electrodes, thanks to readily available conductive nanocomposite filaments, such as those based on carbon fillers (i.e., carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or carbon black (CB)) within an insulating polymeric matrix like polylactic acid (PLA). Inspired by inorganic heterostructures that enhance the functional characteristics of nanomaterials, we fabricated hetero-layered 3D printed devices based on carbon allotropes using a layer-by-layer assembly approach. The heterolayers were customised through the alternate integration of different carbon allotrope filaments via a multi-material 3D printing technique, allowing for a time-effective method to enhance electrochemical performance. As a first demonstration of applicability, CNT/PLA and CB/PLA filaments were utilised to construct ordered hetero-layered carbon-based electrodes. This contrasts with conventional methods where various carbon species are mixed in the same composite-based filament used for building electrochemical devices. Multi-material 3D-printed carbon electrodes exhibit improved electrochemical performance in energy conversion (e.g., hydrogen evolution reaction or HER) and sensing applications (e.g., ascorbic acid detection) compared to single-material electrodes. This work paves the way for manufacturing advanced 3D-printed heterolayered electrodes with enhanced electrochemical activity through multi-material 3D printing technology.