TiNx coated polycarbonate for bio-electrode applications

Titanium nitride (TiNx) thin films were deposited by PVD, in a wide range of compositions (0 < x < 0.99), on polycarbonate (PC) substrates, aiming at studying their potential application as bio-electrodes. The electrochemical study of the TiNx films, performed in an isotonic sodium chloride solution, proved the very good chemical stability of all films in salt solution conditions. On the other hand, the electrochemical noise analysis showed that the electrical noise generated at the stoichiometric TiN/electrolyte interface is of the same magnitude as that generated by the traditional Ag/AgCl electrodes.

► TiN thin films were deposited by PVD on polycarbonate for bio-electrode applications.
► All TiN films displayed a significant corrosion resistance in isotonic NaCl solutions.
► Similar values of electrochemical noise were observed for TiN and Ag electrodes.
► TiN films with N/Ti (at.) ⩾0.85 are suitable for bio-electrode applications.