Abstract
We report the development of a semiconductor nanorod-carbon nanotube based platform for wire-free, light induced retina stimulation. A plasma polymerized acrylic acid midlayer was used to achieve covalent conjugation of semiconductor nanorods directly onto neuro-adhesive, three-dimensional carbon nanotube surfaces. Photocurrent, photovoltage, and fluorescence lifetime measurements validate efficient charge transfer between the nanorods and the carbon nanotube films. Successful stimulation of a light-insensitive chick retina suggests the potential use of this novel platform in future artificial retina applications.
Highlights
Wire-free retinal photostimulation, based on a combination of two nanomaterial systems ideally suited for neurostimulation: semiconductor nanorods (NRs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (Figure 1a)
To achieve clean and effective NR−CNT conjugation, we developed a special covalent bonding scheme based on plasmapolymerized acrylic acid coated CNT films, amine modified NRs, and carbodiimide chemistry (Figure 1a)
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of the CNT surface after plasma polymerization reveals that the CNT films electrode versus time
Summary
Wire-free retinal photostimulation, based on a combination of two nanomaterial systems ideally suited for neurostimulation: semiconductor nanorods (NRs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (Figure 1a). It is clearly apparent that the proximity of the CNTs shortens the CdSe/CdS−GSH NR fluorescence lifetime, consistent with charge separation at the NR−CNT interface introducing a competing mechanism to the fluorescent recombination of charge carriers These findings are further supported by previous studies demonstrating light induced charge transfer between QDs and CNTs.[45,46] in fluorescence imaging of patterned CNT films on SiO2 substrate, with NRs conjugated to the surface (Figure 3c, inset), NR−CNT regions appear dark compared to the fluorescence of the NR−SiO2 background. This material is available free of charge via the Internet at http:// pubs.acs.org
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