Long-Lasting Electrohydrodynamically Printed Transparent Soft Microelectrode for Implantable Biointerfaces

Abstract

Reliable and scalable soft implantable neural interface fabrication remains a key challenge for chronic bioelectronic applications. Here, we present a transparent soft microelectrode fabricated with electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing, utilizing the fluorinated polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) to form seamless, selectively patterned multilayer structures with low impedance and long-term stability. Controlled in situ curing during printing yields dense, void-free substrate and encapsulation layers, suppressing interfacial defects and ionic pathways, while maintaining high optical transparency (>60%) with PEDOT:PSS. The printed microelectrodes exhibit low impedance, high charge storage and injection capacities, and stable electrochemical behavior under biomimetic conditions. In addition, the devices demonstrate robust mechanical and electromechanical stability under cyclic deformation in both dry and wet environments, as well as under prolonged electrical stimulation. Accelerated aging studies project multi-year operational lifetimes, and in vitro/in vivo biocompatibility assessments confirm excellent tissue integration. These results establish EHD-printed fluorinated polymer-based microelectrodes as a scalable and durable platform for chronic implantable biointerfaces. ToC O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=182 SRC="FIGDIR/small/726391v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (79K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@f4f717org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@8a34a1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@185540dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@51462a_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG This report presents an electrohydrodynamically printed transparent soft microelectrode for chronic purposes. Electrohydrodynamic printing promotes seamless multilayer structures with selective deposition and long-term mechanical stability. The devices show low impedance, high charge capacity, and robust electrochemical/electromechanical properties. Accelerated aging projects [~]7.2 year lifetimes, and XPS/SEM-EDS confirm strong ion barrier properties and biocompatibility for chronic implantation.