Single walled carbon nanohorns composite for neural sensing and stimulation

Oxidized single walled carbon nanohorns (ox-SWCNH) were electrodeposited onto gold microelectrode arrays in conjunction with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polystirenesulfonate (PSS), and the properties of the new composite material for neural recording and stimulation were assessed. PEDOT/ox-SWCNH composites were compared with films prepared with one of the most notorious carbonaceous material in this field, the oxidized multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (ox-MWCNT). The PEDOT/ox-SWCNH exhibited superior charge transfer capability, reflecting greater electroactive surface, as confirmed by SEM and EIS characterizations. As a consequence, a charge injection limit of 11.6 mC/cm2 was observed for the new composite, which is higher than the one of PEDOT/ox-MWCNT (8.7 mC/cm2). Having confirmed comparable neural recording performance, the PEDOT/ox-SWCNH composite results very promising for improving therapeutic electrical stimulation in the central and peripheral nervous systems.