Research Progress on the Application of Niobium Foil in Neural Electrode Coatings

With the rapid development of neuroscience and neuro engineering, the demand for high-performance neural electrodes is increasing day by day. Niobium foil, as a kind of metallic material with unique properties, has shown broad application prospects in the field of neural electrode coatings in recent years. Its excellent biocompatibility, electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance make it an ideal candidate material for neural interface technology.

Niobium is a transition metal with many properties suitable for biomedical applications. Niobium foil has excellent biocompatibility and does not cause obvious inflammatory responses or tissue rejection. A stable oxide layer (Nb₂O₅) can naturally form on its surface. This oxide layer is not only chemically inert but also can effectively prevent further corrosion. In addition, niobium strip has good electrical conductivity and can meet the requirements of neural signal conduction.

In the coating of neural electrodes, the main advantages of niobium foil are reflected in three aspects: Firstly, the surface oxide layer can significantly reduce the electrode impedance and improve the quality of signal acquisition; Secondly, the mechanical properties of niobium foil are adjustable. The preparation of flexible electrodes can be achieved through thickness control, reducing mechanical damage to neural tissues. Furthermore, the surface of niobium is prone to functional modification, which can further combine bioactive molecules to promote the attachment and growth of neurons.

The latest research shows that nano-structured niobium strip coatings can significantly increase the effective surface area of electrodes, raising the charge storage capacity by 3 to 5 times. A porous structure can be constructed on the surface of niobium through plasma treatment or electrochemical anodic oxidation, further enhancing its electrochemical performance. However, the long-term stability of niobium foil electrodes still needs to be improved, especially the evolution behavior of the oxide layer in the complex in vivo environment requires more in-depth research.

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