Increasing the sensitivity of microelectrodes

Carbon-fiber microelectrodes have been used for in vivo measurements of neurotransmitters. Our lab is exploring a few different approaches to increasing the sensitivity of these electrodes. The first approach is to modify the surface of electrodes with carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotube treatments of electrodes have been used to increase sensitivity, promote electron transfer, and reduce fouling. Most methods have focused on nanotube coatings of large electrodes and slower electrochemical techniques that are not conducive to measurements in vivo. We have investigated carbon-fiber microelectrodes modified with singlewalled carbon nanotubes for co-detection of dopamine and serotonin in vivo.