The 3D printing
(or additive manufacturing, AM) technology is
capable to provide a quick and easy production of objects with freedom
of design, reducing waste generation. Among the AM techniques, fused
deposition modeling (FDM) has been highlighted due to its affordability,
scalability, and possibility of processing an extensive range of materials
(thermoplastics, composites, biobased materials, etc.). The possibility
of obtaining electrochemical cells, arrays, pieces, and more recently,
electrodes, exactly according to the demand, in varied shapes and
sizes, and employing the desired materials has made from 3D printing
technology an indispensable tool in electroanalysis. In this regard,
the obtention of an FDM 3D printer has great advantages for electroanalytical
laboratories, and its use is relatively simple. Some care has to be
taken to aid the user to take advantage of the great potential of
this technology, avoiding problems such as solution leakages, very
common in 3D printed cells, providing well-sealed objects, with high
quality. In this sense, herein, we present a complete protocol regarding
the use of FDM 3D printers for the fabrication of complete electrochemical
systems, including (bio)sensors, and how to improve the quality of
the obtained systems. A guide from the initial printing stages, regarding
the design and structure obtention, to the final application, including
the improvement of obtained 3D printed electrodes for different purposes,
is provided here. Thus, this protocol can provide great perspectives
and alternatives for 3D printing in electroanalysis and aid the user
to understand and solve several problems with the use of this technology
in this field.
