Optimal field-effect transistor operation for high-resolution biochemical measurements

High resolution voltammetric and field-effect transistor readout of carbon fiber microelectrode biosensors

Rapid and sensitive pH measurements with increased spatiotemporal resolution are imperative to probe neurochemical signals and illuminate brain function. We interfaced carbon fiber microelectrode (CFME) sensors with both fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) and field-effect transistor (FET) transducers for dynamic pH measurements. The electrochemical oxidation and reduction of functional groups on the surface of CFMEs affect their response over a physiologically relevant pH range. When measured with FET transducers, the sensitivity of the measurements over the measured pH range was found to be (101 ± 18) mV, which exceeded the Nernstian value of 59 mV by approximately 70%. Finally, we validated the functionality of CFMEs as pH sensors with FSCV ex vivo in rat brain coronal slices with exogenously applied solutions of varying pH values indicating that potential in vivo study is feasible.

Highly sensitive CFMEs as a pH sensor in tandem with both FET and FSCV methods having ex vivo sensing capability is demonstrated.