Enhanced Charge Capacity in Iridium Oxide-Graphene Oxide Hybrids

Hybrid materials based on iridium oxide and graphene oxide, and graphite oxide as reference, are reported as biocompatible electrodes for the neural system. An electrodeposition process based on dynamic potential sweeps, allows an optimal adherence of coatings to the platinum substrate. The resulting electrochemical properties evidence an order of magnitude increase in charge capacity with respect to iridium oxide, and a quasi reversible cyclability for the electrode that expands to more than a thousand cycles for the graphene oxide case. Such stability upon cycling is also an order of magnitude larger than that of IrOx. Neuronal cell cultures show full biocompatibility even in absence of growth factors, and sustain near 100% survival rates and optimal development of neurites. Together with previously reported hybrid IrOx-carbon nanotubes, IrOx-graphene oxide hybrids open the field of materials to be used in the neural system.

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