A Flexible a-SiC-Based Neural Interface Utilizing Pyrolyzed-Photoresist Film (C) Active Sites

Carbon containing materials, such as graphene, carbon-nanotubes (CNT), and graphene oxide, have gained prominence as possible electrodes in implantable neural interfaces due to their excellent conductive properties. While carbon is a promising electrochemical interface, many fabrication processes are difficult to perform, leading to issues with large scale device production and overall repeatability. Here we demonstrate that carbon electrodes and traces constructed from pyrolyzed-photoresist-film (PPF) when combined with amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC) insulation could be fabricated with repeatable processes which use tools easily available in most semiconductor facilities. Directly forming PPF on a-SiC simplified the fabrication process which eliminates noble metal evaporation/sputtering and lift-off processes on small features. PPF electrodes in oxygenated phosphate buffered solution at pH 7.4 demonstrated excellent electrochemical charge storage capacity (CSC) of 14.16 C/cm(2), an impedance of 24.8 +/- 0.4 k omega, and phase angle of -35.9 +/- 0.6 degrees at 1 kHz with a 1.9 k mu m(2) recording site area.

Automated summary

Carbon containing materials like graphene, carbon-nanotubes, and graphene oxide are promising electrodes for implantable neural interfaces due to their excellent conductive properties. However, the complex fabrication processes and issues with repeatability can be overcome by using pyrolyzed-photoresist-film (PPF) carbon electrodes combined with amorphous silicon carbide insulation. The electrodes show excellent electrochemical performance in oxygenated phosphate buffered solution, demonstrating potential for practical applications.