Bulk Ti nitride prepared from rutile TiO2 for its application as stimulation electrode in neuroscience

Bulk titanium nitride (TiN) was synthesized by nitridation of TiO2 rutile substrates. TiN pellets were successfully achieved at 1100 degrees C in ammonia stream; these materials were characterized by the evaluation of their microstructure, surface, chemical composition and electrical and electrochemical properties, concluding that the synthesis promotes the creation of a TiNxOy surface, which shows high metallic conductivity (close to 10(2) S/cm) and a microstructure with micro- and nano-features. Electrochemical studies reveal high storage capacities which are delivered through an injection mechanism that involves the double charge layer and EIS show a high capacitive contribution to the mechanism. Neuron cell cultures assessed the biocompatibility of the sample prepared and put forward this material as a promising candidate for implantable stimulation electrode in neuroscience.