Effective area and charge density of dextran sulphate doped PEDOT modified electrodes

Abstract

The performance of neural electrodes over chronic periods is poor with degrading signal-to-noise ratio and low biocompatibility. Consequently, electrodes require modification to improve their performance, biostability and biocompatibility. A large variety of doped conducting polymers have been proposed for optimising neural electrodes, but to date, none have achieved the required biostability and biocompatibility necessary for human application. Dextran sulfate is used as an antithrombotic and may be of use in improving neural electrode biocompatibility. Poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene was successfully doped with dextran sulfate (PEDOT-DS) by electropolymerisation on neural electrode arrays...