Skip to main content
Duke University Libraries
DukeSpace Scholarship by Duke Authors
  • Login
  • Ask
  • Menu
  • Login
  • Ask a Librarian
  • Search & Find
  • Using the Library
  • Research Support
  • Course Support
  • Libraries
  • About
View Item 
  •   DukeSpace
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Duke Dissertations
  • View Item
  •   DukeSpace
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Duke Dissertations
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Growth, Characterization, and Modification of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Films for Use as a Neural Stimulation Electrode

Thumbnail
View / Download
48.5 Mb
Date
2010
Author
Brown, Billyde
Advisor
Glass, Jeffrey T.
Repository Usage Stats
445
views
209
downloads
Abstract

Electrical stimulation is capable of restoring function to a damaged or diseased nervous system and can thereby improve the lives of patients in a remarkable way. For example, cochlear and retinal prostheses can help the deaf to hear and the blind to see, respectively. Improvements in the safety, efficacy, selectivity, and power consumption of these technologies require a long-term biocompatible, chemically and mechanically stable, low impedance neural electrode interface which can rapidly store high charge densities without damaging the electrode or neural tissue.

In this study, vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube films were synthesized and investigated for their potential use as a neural stimulation electrode. Materials characterization using electron microscopy, Raman, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; and in-vitro electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potential transient measurements were employed to determine material and electrochemical properties, respectively. Characterization was performed prior and subsequent to electrochemical and oxidative thermal treatments to determine if there were improvements in the desired properties.

The results indicated that electrochemical activation by potential cycling across the water window, a technique often used to activate and greatly improve the performance of iridium oxide electrodes, was also favorable for carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes especially for thicker films. In addition, oxidative thermal treatments that did not significantly oxidize or etch the nanotubes caused a significant improvement in electrode performance. Phenomenological models were developed from these findings. Finally, growth of aligned CNTs using a platinum catalyst was demonstrated and suggested to reduce biocompatibility concerns due to otherwise highly toxic catalyst residue inherent in CNTs that may become bioavailable during chronic use.

Type
Dissertation
Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Subject
Electrical Engineering
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/3090
Citation
Brown, Billyde (2010). Growth, Characterization, and Modification of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Films for Use as a Neural Stimulation Electrode. Dissertation, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/3090.
Collections
  • Duke Dissertations
More Info
Show full item record
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Rights for Collection: Duke Dissertations


Works are deposited here by their authors, and represent their research and opinions, not that of Duke University. Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info

Make Your Work Available Here

How to Deposit

Browse

All of DukeSpaceCommunities & CollectionsAuthorsTitlesTypesBy Issue DateDepartmentsAffiliations of Duke Author(s)SubjectsBy Submit DateThis CollectionAuthorsTitlesTypesBy Issue DateDepartmentsAffiliations of Duke Author(s)SubjectsBy Submit Date

My Account

LoginRegister

Statistics

View Usage Statistics
Duke University Libraries

Contact Us

411 Chapel Drive
Durham, NC 27708
(919) 660-5870
Perkins Library Service Desk

Digital Repositories at Duke

  • Report a problem with the repositories
  • About digital repositories at Duke
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Deaccession and DMCA Takedown Policy

TwitterFacebookYouTubeFlickrInstagramBlogs

Sign Up for Our Newsletter
  • Re-use & Attribution / Privacy
  • Harmful Language Statement
  • Support the Libraries
Duke University