Enabling The Formation of High Impedance Supported Lipid Bilayers on PEDOT:PSS for Biosensing Applications

Supported lipid bilayer (SLB) electrochemical sensors are a promising platform to study analyte-ligand interactions that occur at the cell surface. Utilizing an organic mixed conductor, such as PEDOT:PSS, as the SLB supporting material has enabled this technology to be used for detection of biomolecules at physiological relevant concentrations by measuring impedances. However, currently there is a lack in understanding of how the PEDOT:PSS surface facilitates SLB formation; a challenge which leads to significant device reproducibility issues. This talk will share our progress in investigating the PEDOT:PSS surface chemistry using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and correlating this to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data of SLBs on microfabricated PEDOT:PSS electrodes. Results will be shared that show how we obtain a high yield of viable SLB devices by controlling aspects of the fabrication process, post-fabrication surface treatments, and electrolyte choice. This progress establishes guidelines necessary to realize high impedance SLBs on PEDOT:PSS electrodes.