Fabrication of ERGO/PEDOT Layers on Etched Platinum-Iridium Wires for Future Flexible Sensing Applications
Restricted (Penn State Only)
Author:
Mehalko, Kolton
Area of Honors:
Chemistry
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Jason Alan Bennett, Thesis Supervisor Jason Alan Bennett, Thesis Honors Advisor Jay Charles Amicangelo, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
Electrochemistry Graphene Oxide PEDOT Sensor Development
Abstract:
The detection of various molecules in vivo using electrochemical techniques currently faces multiple challenges as current carbon-fiber electrodes that allow for the sensitivity needed are expensive, fragile, and rigid. Overcoming the latter two limitations will allow for electrodes to be better positioned in vivo to study various processes. While flexible metal electrodes exist, carbon electrodes often provide better electrochemical responses than metal electrodes. To solve these problems, platinum-iridium (PtIr) wire electrodes were modified with electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) to retain electrode flexibility but gain the benefit of a carbon electrode surface. Modified wires were characterized using electrochemistry and scanning electron microscopy to determine the success of the modification and the viability of the electrode to be used as an electrochemical sensor. The effects of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) concentration and supporting electrolyte presence in the modification solution were tested. Increasing the EDOT concentration and using sodium chloride (NaCl) as the supporting electrolyte resulted in improved EDOT polymerization and the overall modification and functionality of the wires. The wires modified using a solution of graphene oxide suspended in 0.04 M EDOT and NaCl have a completely carbon-coated wire surface and exhibited the best electrochemical response. These modified wires show potential to be used for future in vivo electrochemical sensing.
