Soft, Multifunctional MXene-Coated Fiber Microelectrodes for Biointerfacing

Flexible fiber-based microelectrodes allow safe and chronic investigation and modulation of electrically active cells and tissues. Compared to planar electrodes, they enhance targeting precision while minimizing side effects from the device-tissue mechanical mismatch. However, the current manufacturing methods face scalability, reproducibility, and handling challenges, hindering large-scale deployment. Furthermore, only a few designs can record electrical and biochemical signals necessary for understanding and interacting with complex biological systems. In this study, we present a method that utilizes the electrical conductivity and easy processability of MXenes, a diverse family of two-dimensional nanomaterials, to apply a thin layer of MXene coating continuously to commercial nylon filaments (30-300 μm in diameter) at a rapid speed (up to 15 mm/s), achieving a linear resistance below 10 Ω/cm. The MXene-coated filaments are then batch-processed into free-standing fiber microelectrodes with excellent flexibility, durability, and consistent performance even when knotted. We demonstrate the electrochemical properties of these fiber electrodes and their hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensing capability and showcase their applications <i>in vivo</i> (rodent) and <i>ex vivo</i> (bladder tissue). This scalable process fabricates high-performance microfiber electrodes that can be easily customized and deployed in diverse bioelectronic monitoring and stimulation studies, contributing to a deeper understanding of health and disease.