A collaborative research team from Rice University, the University of Cambridge, and Stanford University has recently unveiled a groundbreaking method to enhance the stability of PEDOT:PSS, a crucial bioelectronic material. Their innovative approach involves utilizing higher temperatures during production, eliminating the need for chemical crosslinkers typically used to stabilize the material.
This new method simplifies the production process and significantly improves the quality of PEDOT:PSS, making it more suitable for various applications, including medical implants, advanced computing, and highly sensitive biosensors. By heating PEDOT:PSS beyond its conventional processing temperatures, the material undergoes a phase change that stabilizes it without the need for crosslinkers. This results in a material with three times higher electrical conductivity and enhanced stability, essential for medical applications where consistent performance is paramount.
Studies have demonstrated that devices made with this heat-treated PEDOT:PSS exhibit remarkable robustness in chronic in vivo experiments, maintaining stability for over 20 days post-implantation. This breakthrough could resolve previous stability issues encountered in long-term neural implants, potentially advancing neurotechnology and enabling innovations such as spinal cord injury movement restoration and brain-computer interfaces.