Bio‐interface behaviour of graphene and semiconducting SWCNT:C₆₀blend based nano photodiode for subretinal implant

Abstract

Hybrid interfaces between living cells and organic conjugated polymers play a pivotal role in bioelectronics medicine. Currently, conjugated polymers are widely utilised for optical stimulation of living cells and other bio-interface applications such as neural probes, cellular scaffolds and biosensors for drug release. In such a work, the authors fabricated and characterised the Nano Photodiode array device for the subretinal implant. However, the authors did not discuss in their report about the biocompatibility of this new device. In this work, the authors manifest that the quintessential graphene electrode and polymer blend of semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotube and C 60 fullerene (S-SWCNT:C 60) sustains its optoelectronic properties all through the various strides for neural preparation. Further, the studies show that these materials can provide a favourable environment for cell proliferation and a high degree of biocompatibility. PC-12 cells used as a valuable model to validate the biocompatibility were grown successfully onto the S-SWCNT:C 60 active layer still preserving its optical and electrical properties. The improved electrical performance of nano photodiode made of graphene, S-SWCNT:C 60 established in the previous studies and the excellent bio-interface performance of this nano photodiode shows that the nano photodiode array proposed by the authors is a strong candidate for subretinal implants. authors conducted multiple studies to determine the spectral response, morphology, electrochemical stability, thermal stability and toxicity, for the assessment of these materials as an effective Biosurface and Biotribology Short Communication

Recent advancements in transparent carbon nanotube films: chemistry and imminent challenges

“…In recent years, conjugated polymers are broadly used toward optical stimulation of existing cells and different bio-interface purposes, for example, neural investigations, cellular structures and biosensors toward drug discharge [250][251][252]. Moorthy et al [253] examined a mixture of S-SWCNT\C 60 substances accumulated above graphene optically transparent electrode, that is also recognized as G-Optrodes is admitted toward general biological. To discover the spectral effect, structural, electrochemical resistance, thermal endurance and toxicity, to the evaluation of these substances as an efficient and competent bio-optical interface.…”

“…System performance of the bio-organic interface: a Diagram illustration of nano photodiode cell (b) Chemical compositions of S-SWCNT and C 60 fullerene (c) Spectral effect of S-SWCNT: C 60 mixture suspension[253] …”

High-Performance Broadband Photodetectors Based on Asymmetric All-Carbon Nano-Heterostructures

“…As carbon allotrope materials, graphene and C 60 are widely used in SWCNT-based photodetectors due to their similar structures with SWCNTs and strong interface coupling at an atomic level. − Previous reports indicate that graphene and C 60 can dramatically enhance the charge separation efficiency and suppress the recombination probability of excitons by constructing all-carbon nano-heterostructures with SWCNTs. , Liu et al investigated a high-performance broadband all-carbon heterojunction photodetector using graphene and SWCNTs. The device exhibits a high photoresponsivity of >100 A W –1 and a fast response time of ∼100 μs under visible–NIR (400–1550 nm) light illumination.…”