Preparation and Characterization of PEDOT:PSS/CNT Blends for Light Addressable Electrochemical Sensing
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Glen O’Neil
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 2:15 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 3:15 PM
Description
In the nervous system, cells communicate by passing small molecules between adjacent cells. Measuring these molecules as they pass from one cell to another is a pathway for a deeper understanding of cellular communication. Most of the research done on neurotransmitter sensing uses carbon fiber electrodes. Our group has been exploring the use of light addressable electrochemical (LAE) sensors for applications in biological and chemical sensing. LAE sensor utilizes light to initiate an electrochemical reaction at the surface of semiconducting photoelectrode. To date, we have not been successful in preparing LAE sensors with carbon electrodes. Here, we prepare LAE sensors with PEDOT:PSS/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites on n-Si. PEDOT:PSS is a conductive polymer blend that’s widely used in organic solar cell research. We hypothesized that adding CNTs to the PEDOT:PSS would enable sensitive measurements of dopamine, a catecholamine neurotransmitter. We explored how the amount of CNT influences the response of our electrode. Our study focused on observing the transformations in electrode characteristics following cyclic exposure to certain buffers. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of various spinning parameters on our electrode properties. The characteristics of our electrode were analyzed using various techniques: cyclic voltammetry in dark and under illumination, mott-schottky analysis, four-point probe conductivity analysis, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Our investigations have yielded valuable insights, which we believe will contribute to enhancing our understanding of dopamine sensing in the future.
Preparation and Characterization of PEDOT:PSS/CNT Blends for Light Addressable Electrochemical Sensing
In the nervous system, cells communicate by passing small molecules between adjacent cells. Measuring these molecules as they pass from one cell to another is a pathway for a deeper understanding of cellular communication. Most of the research done on neurotransmitter sensing uses carbon fiber electrodes. Our group has been exploring the use of light addressable electrochemical (LAE) sensors for applications in biological and chemical sensing. LAE sensor utilizes light to initiate an electrochemical reaction at the surface of semiconducting photoelectrode. To date, we have not been successful in preparing LAE sensors with carbon electrodes. Here, we prepare LAE sensors with PEDOT:PSS/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites on n-Si. PEDOT:PSS is a conductive polymer blend that’s widely used in organic solar cell research. We hypothesized that adding CNTs to the PEDOT:PSS would enable sensitive measurements of dopamine, a catecholamine neurotransmitter. We explored how the amount of CNT influences the response of our electrode. Our study focused on observing the transformations in electrode characteristics following cyclic exposure to certain buffers. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of various spinning parameters on our electrode properties. The characteristics of our electrode were analyzed using various techniques: cyclic voltammetry in dark and under illumination, mott-schottky analysis, four-point probe conductivity analysis, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Our investigations have yielded valuable insights, which we believe will contribute to enhancing our understanding of dopamine sensing in the future.