Abstract
Optoelectronic photoelectrodes based on capacitive charge-transfer offer an attractive route to develop safe and effective neuromodulators. Here, we demonstrate efficient optoelectronic photoelectrodes that are based on the incorporation of quantum dots (QDs) into poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and [6,6]-Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) bulk heterojunction. We control the performance of the photoelectrode by the blend ratio, thickness, and nanomorphology of the ternary bulk heterojunction. The optimization led to a photocapacitor that has a photovoltage of 450 mV under a light intensity level of 20 mW.cm-2 and a responsivity of 99 mA/W corresponding to the most light-sensitive organic photoelectrode reported to date. The photocapacitor can facilitate action potential generation by hippocampal neurons via burst waveforms at an intensity level of 20 mW.cm-2. Therefore, the results point to an alternative direction in the engineering of safe and ultra-light-sensitive neural interfaces.
Highlights
Optoelectronic photoelectrodes offer high potential for wireless and safe photostimulation of neurons [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]
The photoelectrode presented in this work used poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT), [6,6]Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and colloidal lead sulfide quantum dots (PbS QDs) in toluene, which were used as received from Sigma Aldrich without any modification
After the light is absorbed by the photoactive layer, the generated excitons dissociate, and the electron and hole move towards the PCBM and P3HT in the photoactive layer, respectively
Summary
Optoelectronic photoelectrodes offer high potential for wireless and safe photostimulation of neurons [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. They have been started to be investigated for retinal implants that enabled restoration of vision in-vivo [13,14]. The management of charge-transfer mechanisms at the electrode-electrolyte interfaces and transduction of low-intensity light levels to safe currents can advance the control of neuron activity and facilitate retina-like highly sensitive neurointerfaces in the future. Realization of operation at low-light intensity levels can facilitate efficient communication with living systems without any heat-induced side effects [19]
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