# The role of the electrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis in the enhancement of the electrochemical properties of 3D-printed carbon black/poly(lactic acid) structures

Source: [The role of the electrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis in the enhancement of the electrochemical properties of 3D-printed carbon black/poly(lactic acid) structures](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa40791e209131ce8f3c4a>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-25T02:48:36.316Z

Authors: Adrian Koterwa, Iwona Kaczmarzyk, Szymon Mania, Mateusz Cie\\'slik, Robert Tylingo, Tadeusz Ossowski, Robert Bogdanowicz, Pawe{\\l} Niedzia{\\l}kowski, Jacek Ryl

Published: 2021-07-21T12:34:36.000Z

## Abstract

Additive manufacturing, called 3D printing, starts to play an unprecedented role in developing many applications in industrial or personalized products. The conductive composite structures require additional treatment to achieve an electroactive surface useful for electrochemical devices. In this paper, the surfaces of carbon black/poly(lactic acid) CB-PLA printouts were activated by electrolysis or enzymatic digestion with proteinase K, or a simultaneous combination of both. Proposed modification protocols allowed for tailoring electrochemically active surface area and electron transfer kinetics determined by electrochemical techniques (CV, EIS) with \[Fe(CN)6\]4-/3- redox probe. The X-ray photon spectroscopy and SEM imaging were applied to determine the delivered surface chemistry. The CB-PLA hydrolysis in alkaline conditions and under anodic polarization greatly impacts the charge transfer kinetics. The enzymatic hydrolysis of PLA with proteinase K has led to highly efficient results yet requiring an unsatisfactory prolonged activation duration of 72 h, efficiently reduced by the electrolysis carried out in the presence of the enzyme. Our studies hint that the activation protocol originates from surface electropolymerization rather than synergistic interaction between electrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis. The detailed mechanism of CB-PLA hydrolysis supported by electrolysis has been elaborated since it pawed a new route towards a time-efficient and environmentally-friendly activation procedure.

## Recorded benchmark results

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## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/2107.10048>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/2107.10048.pdf>)