Amorphous and crystalline IrO2 thin films as potential stimulation electrode coatings

Amorphous and crystalline iridium oxide thin films with potential use as coating materials for stimulation electrodes were studied. Characterization of these films by cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy has revealed a considerable decrease in impedance and an increase in charge capacity of iridium oxide thin films after an electrochemical activation process in 0.9% NaCl solution. The surface morphology of these films was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The two types of IrO2 films were also compared under conditions relevant to applications as stimulation electrodes. The results indicate that amorphous IrO2 films have significantly higher charge storage capacity and lower impedance than crystalline IrO2 films. This makes the amorphous films a preferable coating material for stimulation applications.