  The fused deposition modeling is one of the most rapidly developing 3D
printing techniques, with numerous applications, also in the field of applied
electrochemistry. Here, utilization of conductive polylactic acid (C-PLA) for
3D printouts is the most promising, due to its biodegradability, commercial
availability, and ease of processing. To use C-PLA as an electrode material, an
activation process must be performed, removing the polymer matrix and
uncovering the electroactive filler. The most popular chemical or
electrochemical activation routes are done in solvents. In this manuscript, we
present a novel, alternative approach towards C-PLA activation with Nd:YAG
(lambda = 1064 nm) laser ablation. We present and discuss the activation
efficiency based on various laser source operating conditions, and the gas
matrix. The XPS, contact angle, and Raman analyses were performed for
evaluation of the surface chemistry and to discuss the mechanism of the
activation process. The ablation process carried out in the inert gas matrix
(helium) delivers a highly electroactive C-PLA electrode surface, while the
resultant charge transfer process is hindered when activated in the air. This
is due to thermally induced oxide layers formation. The electroanalytical
performance of laser-treated C-PLA in He atmosphere was confirmed through
caffeine detection, offering detection limits of 0.49 and 0.40 microM (S/N = 3)
based on CV and DPV studies, respectively.
