A photo-thermal-electrical converter based on carbon nanotubes for bioelectronic applications

目前，人们对创造生物电子设备非常感兴趣，这些设备可以植入人体并附着在人体上，用于感知和控制器官和内部系统，以延长和提高生活质量。在本研究中，我们证明：1)可以形成分散良好的单壁碳纳米管/聚二甲基硅氧烷(SWNT-PDMS)复合材料，由碳纳米管聚合物复合材料制成的新型光热-电(PTE)转换器可以有效地将CNT的光热能转化为电能；2)PTE转换器可以为刺激生理组织的电活动提供电力；以及3)PTE转换器在大鼠体内是有效的。这些结果极大地将PTE转换器的概念扩展到了新的领域和应用。

There is currently substantial interest in creating bioelectronic devices that can be implanted in and attached to humans for sensing and control of organs and internal systems in order to prolong and improve the quality of life. In the present study , we demonstrate that 1) a well-dispersed single-walled CNT/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (SWNT-PDMS) composite can be formed, and a novel photo-thermal-electrical (PTE) converter fabricated with a CNT polymer composite can effectively convert the photothermal energy of CNTs into electricity; 2) the PTE converter can supply electrical power for stimulation of electrical activity in physiological tissues; and 3) the PTE converter was effective in the body of a rat. These results dramatically extend the concept of a PTE converter into new areas and applications.