Characterization of carbon nanosheets as an electrode material and biological interface for advanced microelectrode arrays

Abstract

Carbon nanosheets (CNSs) are an emerging type of carbon (nano)material with many fascinating properties. Their high surface-area-to-volume ratio and abundance of active knife-edge planes make CNSs an attractive candidate for a new electrode material for bidirectional interfacing with electrogenic cells in a microelectrode array (MEA) setting. Methods to improve wettability, and thus biocompatibility, were investigated, including voltage-biasing and a UV/ozone treatment. The CNSs were then electrochemically characterized using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in order to assess the material's stimulation and recording capabilities, respectively. Biocompatibility was assessed by culturing primary mouse hippocampal neurons on CNS substrates, which, to our knowledge, has not been demonstrated to date. Our findings demonstrate that CNS-based MEAs can have a major scientific and technological impact, and can yield tools for many in vitro and in vivo applications.