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Improving the performance of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) for brain-machine interface applications.
Himadri S Mandal1, Gretchen L Knaack2, Hamid Charkhkar3
1Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
Acta Biomaterialia
|March 1, 2014
Summary
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) modified neural probes show improved conductivity and stability. Switching the poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) anion to tetrafluoroborate (TFB) enhances PEDOT performance for neural recording applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Neuroscience
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Conducting polymers like poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) are crucial for neural probes.
- Improving conductivity and stability of PEDOT is essential for sensitive neural recordings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of counter anions on PEDOT conductivity and stability for neural probes.
- To compare PEDOT:TFB with PEDOT:PSS and CNT-incorporated PEDOT:PSS for neural recording applications.
Main Methods:
- Electrodeposition of PEDOT with different counter anions (PSS and TFB).
- Time-dependent impedance measurements of modified microwires under accelerated aging.
- In vitro and in vivo neuronal recordings using modified microelectrodes.
Main Results:
- PEDOT:TFB exhibited significantly higher conductivity (one order of magnitude) and enhanced stability compared to PEDOT:PSS.
- Carbon nanotube incorporation did not show noticeable improvement in PEDOT:PSS stability or performance.
- PEDOT:TFB demonstrated no neurotoxicity and enabled successful neural recordings.
Conclusions:
- Tetrafluoroborate (TFB) is a superior counter anion to poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) for enhancing PEDOT conductivity and stability.
- PEDOT:TFB is a promising, non-neurotoxic material for advanced neural probes and recording devices.
