Assembling carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into macroscopic materials allows multiple applications that take advantage of their physical properties. Specifically, the synthesis, fiber assembly, and application of CNTs as microelectrodes has allowed us explore physiological applications as well as sensor development. This talk will summarize our research in CNT microelectrode development, neural recording and stimulation, and neurotransmitter detection and quantification through voltammetric techniques. The recording ability of microelectrodes is demonstrated through Electroretinography (ERG) on Sarcophaga bullata fly eyes, where light stimulation of photoreceptors generate potential changes that were detected by CNT microelectrodes (Fig 1a). Stimulation is demonstrated through Au wire and carbon nanotube fiber implants in Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) antennas to control their locomotion directions, (Fig 1b). In addition, CNT microelectrode arrays were applied to detect neurotransmitters i.e. dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), epinephrine (Epn) and nor-epinephrine (Nor-epn) using voltammetric techniques. Fig 1c displays picomolar detection of dopamine. These electrodes have been found to have an excellent improved limit of detection in the range of ~10-12 M. To illustrate practical application, the CNT microelectrode arrays were used in real time determination of DA release from culture rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells upon concentrate K+ stimulation.

Carbon nanotube microelectrodes for neural recording and stimulation, and neurotransmitter detection

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ACS Fall 2022

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