Fabrication and characterization of sputtered-carbon microelectrode arrays

by Sreenivas, G.; Ang, S. S.; Fritsch, I.; Brown, W. D.; Gerhardt, G. A.; Woodward, D. J.

This paper describes a robust and reliable process for fabricating a novel sputter-deposited, thin-film carbon microelectrode array using standard integrated circuit technologies and silicon micromachining. Sputter-deposited carbon films were investigated as potential candidates for microelectrode materials. The surface properties and cross section of the microelectrode arrays were studied by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Electrical site impedance, crosstalk, and lifetime (dielectric integrity) of microelectrodes in the array were characterized. Electrochemical response of the microelectrodes to hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride and dopamine were investigated by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry and high-speed, computer-based chronoamperometry; results show that thin-film carbon microelectrodes are well-behaved electrochemically. The thin carbon films offer extremely good electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties and thus qualify as viable candidates for various electroanalytical applications, particularly acute neurophysiological studies.

Journal
Analytical Chemistry
Volume
68
Issue
11
Year
1996
Start Page
1858-1864
URL
https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ac9508816
ISBN/ISSN
1520-6882; 0003-2700
DOI
10.1021/ac9508816