DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL CONDUCTIVE FILAMENTS FOR 3D PRINTING ELECTROCHEMICAL SENSORS

• Grant number: 24/12885-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Bruno Campos Janegitz
• Grantee: Vinicius Aparecido Oliani Pedro da Silva
• Supervisor: Craig e Banks
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), England
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/03179-8 - New architectures of 3D printed sensors for detection of biomarkers and hydrogen peroxide, BP.DR

Abstract

The technology of additive manufacturing through 3D printing has developed exponentially over the last decade and has gained prominence in the scientific community. In the field of electrochemistry, 3D printing has emerged as a new way to produce sensors with complex structures. However, the need for electrically conductive filaments with ideal properties poses a challenge, as there are no commercially available options. For example, recent studies have shown that varying the amount of conductive material in filaments made from polylactic acid (PLA) and graphene or PLA and commercially available carbon black (CB) improves conductivity but reduces the flexibility of the filaments, making them brittle. As a result, studies on the development of conductive composite filaments have increased. This project aims to investigate and develop new composite filaments that combine the unique properties of polymeric matrices with carbon nanoparticles, metals and conductive polymers to print new architectures of electrochemical sensors. The filaments will be produced by mixing thermoplastic polymer pellets with different proportions of conductive material in thermal mixing equipment and then extruded into filament form. Morphological and electrochemical characterizations of the obtained filaments will be conducted to evaluate structure and performance. It is expected that the filaments will have interesting properties for printing by using other polymeric matrices in optimal proportions. It is also expected that the electrical conductivity will be increased by using different conductive materials in optimal proportions, which will improve the electrochemical performance of the sensors. The developed sensors will be tested for the determination of biomarkers, which are of great interest in the healthcare field. The results of this project will make an important contribution to the further development of 3D printing in electrochemistry by enabling the development of more complex structures and opening the way for new areas of application