3D-printed nanocarbon sensors for the detection of chlorophenols and nitrophenols: Towards environmental applications of additive manufacturing

Abstract

3D printing is a manufacturing technique used to prototype devices with customized shapes composed of different materials, including carbon composites. Toxic phenolic compounds are a major environmental hazard. Herein, we demonstrate the use of carbon-based 3D-printed electrodes for the detection of chlorophenols and nitrophenols. The influence of pH on the voltammetric response was studied, and an alkaline pH was identified as the best environment for the detection of substituted phenols. Simultaneous detection of phenolic compounds was performed using differential pulse voltammetry. This approach appears promising for the fabrication of electrochemical sensors.