Versatile Design of Functional Organic-Inorganic 3D-Printed (Opto)Electronic Interfaces with Custom Catalytic Activity

Abstract

The ability to combine organic and inorganic components in a single material represents a great step toward the development of advanced (opto)electronic systems. Nowadays, 3D-printing technology has generated a revolution in the rapid prototyping and low-cost fabrication of 3D-printed electronic devices. However, a main drawback when using 3D-printed transducers is the lack of robust functionalization methods for tuning their capabilities. Herein, a simple, general and robust in situ functionalization approach is reported to tailor the capabilities of 3D-printed nanocomposite carbon/polymer electrode (3D-nCE) surfaces with a battery of functional inorganic nanoparticles (FINPs), which are appealing active units for electronic, optical and catalytic applications. The versatility of the resulting functional organic-inorganic 3D-printed electronic interfaces is provided in different pivotal areas of electrochemistry, including i) electrocatalysis, ii) bio-electroanalysis, iii) energy (storage and conversion), and iv) photoelectrochemical applications. Overall, the synergism of combining the transducing characteristics of 3D-nCEs with the implanted tuning surface capabilities of FINPs leads to new/enhanced electrochemical performances when compared to their bare 3D-nCE counterparts. Accordingly, this work elucidates that FINPs have much to offer in the field of 3D-printing technology and provides the bases toward the green fabrication of functional organic-inorganic 3D-printed (opto)electronic interfaces with custom catalytic activity.