Conductive Polymer Enabled Biostable Liquid Metal Electrodes for Bioelectronic Applications

Gallium (Ga)-based liquid metal materials have emerged as a promising material platform for soft bioelectronics. Unfortunately, Ga has limited biostability and electrochemical performance under physiological conditions, which can hinder the implementation of its use in bioelectronic devices. Here, an effective conductive polymer deposition strategy on the liquid metal surface to improve the biostability and electrochemical performance of Ga-based liquid metals for use under physiological conditions is demonstrated. The conductive polymer [poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):tetrafluoroborate]-modified liquid metal surface significantly outperforms the liquid metal.based electrode in mechanical, biological, and electrochemical studies. In vivo action potential recordings in behaving nonhuman primate and invertebrate models demonstrate the feasibility of using liquid metal electrodes for high-performance neural recording applications. This is the first demonstration of single-unit neural recording using Ga-based liquid metal bioelectronic devices to date. The results determine that the electrochemical deposition of conductive polymer over liquid metal can improve the material properties of liquid metal electrodes for use under physiological conditions and open numerous design opportunities for next-generation liquid metal-based bioelectronics.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates an effective conductive polymer deposition strategy on the liquid metal surface to improve the biostability and electrochemical performance of Ga-based liquid metals under physiological conditions. The conductive polymer-modified liquid metal surface outperforms the liquid metal electrode in mechanical, biological, and electrochemical studies.