Parallel 1024-ch Cyclic Voltammetry on Monolithic CMOS Electrochemical Detector Array

• Published in: IEEE sensors journal 2020-04, Vol.20 (8), p.4395-4402
• Main Authors: White, Kevin A., Mulberry, Geoffrey, Kim, Brian N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amplifier design; Amplifiers; Arrays; Bipolar integrated circuits; Capacitance; Chemical reactions; CMOS; Design; electrochemical devices; electrochemical sensors; Electrodes; Electrons; Electrophysiology; Microelectrodes; Oxidation; sensor phenomena and characterization; Sensors; surface contamination; Voltammetry
• ISSN: 1530-437X; 1558-1748
• DOI: 10.1109/JSEN.2019.2961809

Large-scale microelectrode arrays offers enhanced spatiotemporal resolution in electrophysiology studies. In this paper, we discuss the design and performance of an electrochemical detector array which is capable of 1024-ch parallel cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical detector is fabricated using a custom-designed CMOS chip, which integrates both the circuity and on-chip microelectrode array, to operate the array and record electrochemical signals. For parallel 1024-ch recordings, 1024 capacitor-based integrating transimpedance amplifiers are designed. The amplifier design features bipolar capabilities for measuring both negative and positive electrochemical currents due to reduction and oxidation reactions. The cyclic voltammetry functionality was validated by measuring the double-layer capacitance of the on-chip electrode array. Cyclic voltammetry can be used to examine the quality of electrochemical electrodes by measuring the double-layer capacitance that forms at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Double-layer capacitance is a function of the effective area of the electrode. A contaminated electrode can have smaller effective area resulting in smaller double-layer capacitance. Using the parallel cyclic voltammetry capability of the monolithic CMOS device, the double layer capacitance of all 1024 electrodes can be simultaneously measured to examine the status of the electrode array in real time. The initial measurement of the electrode array showed a mean capacitance of 0.47 nF. After plasma treatment to remove contamination on the electrode's surface, the increased capacitance was 1.36 nF nearly tripling the effective surface area. This method can accelerate the characterization of an electrode array before analytical experiments to provide well-controlled electrochemical electrodes, which are crucial in conducting reliable electrochemical measurements.