The initial adsorption of proteins to materials for implantable microelectrodes is an important factor in determining the longevity and stability of the implant. Implantable microelectrodes have the potential to become part of neural prosthesis to restore lost nerve function after nerve damage. The aim of this study was to identify an optimum material for electrode recording sites on implantable microelectrodes. Common materials for electrode sites are gold, platinum, iridium, and indium tin oxide; these, along with a reference material (titanium) were investigated. Once an implant is in the body, protein adsorption takes place almost instantly before the cells reach the surface of an implant. In this project, the adsorption of proteins to materials for electrode sites has been investigated using atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry.The protein layers adsorbed to Au after 7 and 28 days were the smoothest and the thinnest compared to all the other substrate materials. Among all the materials studied, Au is the best conductor, the most readily available and has good adhesion strength. Au is the material of choice for electrode recording sites on implantable microelectrodes. This work has demonstrated the suitability of different materials for electrode sites on implantable microelectrodes.