Flexible neural microelectrodes utilizing pre-fabricated PEDOT: PSS films

Flexible neural microelectrodes (FNMEs) are widely used in neuroscience research due to their low Young's modulus and excellent biocompatibility. Poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and its derivative with poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) are frequently employed in neuro-probe technolo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sensors and actuators. A. Physical. 2025-02, Vol.382, p.116137, Article 116137
Main Authors: Sun, Yuyang, Yuan, Miao, Tang, Rongyu, Wang, Yijun, Zhou, Jingfeng, Geng, Zhaoxin, Pei, Weihua
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Batch fabrication
Flexible neural microelectrodes
Intracortical recording
PEDOT: PSS films
Preconfigured solution
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Summary:Flexible neural microelectrodes (FNMEs) are widely used in neuroscience research due to their low Young's modulus and excellent biocompatibility. Poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and its derivative with poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) are frequently employed in neuro-probe technology for their excellent interfacial characteristics. Limited by the film-forming and patterning methods, PEDOT is typically modified on the recording sites through electroplating on the neural electrodes. This modification method is challenging to scale up, and the modified film is prone to detachment. In this study, a novel manufacturing process has been developed to fabricate and precisely pattern PEDOT: PSS films. By integrating this process with existing flexible electrode fabrication techniques, FNMEs with PEDOT: PSS as the sole recording site material have been batch-fabricated. The developed electrodes exhibit superior performance compared to traditionally electroplated PEDOT FNMEs, eliminating the complex electroplating operation and addressing instability issues such as the PEDOT film delamination and cracking. The microelectrodes successfully recorded high-quality action potentials in the rat hippocampus, with a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 41. [Display omitted] •Recording sites are made solely of PEDOT: PSS, providing improved properties.•Introducing an inverted trapezoidal shape for complete film formation of PEDOT: PSS.•The method supports batch fabrication and provides higher productivity.•Recording intracortical single-neuron activity with high SNR.
ISSN:0924-4247
DOI:10.1016/j.sna.2024.116137