Nanowire Modification to Enhance the Performance of Neurotransmitter Sensors

In this work, we have developed a method to modify the platinum (Pt) working electrode with nanowires using vapor-solid-liquid (VLS) mechanism in order to increase the sensitivity of our microelectrochemical neurotransmitter sensors. Our sensor probes were manufactured from a 300 μm thick silicon (Si) wafer with several electrode designs for implantation in various locations of the human central nervous system. The surfaces of electrodes were observed and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The complete devices were made and used to demonstrate the enhancement in performance contributed by nanowires in the enzyme-based electrochemical sensing of L-glutamate, which is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter. Comparison between electrodes with and without nanowire modification was conducted, showing that the modification method is a good option to improve the performance of electrochemical sensors.