• Arriaga, Wc
• May, Alh
• González, Lg
• García, Rmw
• Huerta, Fl
• Soto, E.
• Vega, R.

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>We studied the surface morphology and biocompatibility of hydrogenated amorphous silicon-germanium (a-Si<jats:sub>1-x</jats:sub>Ge<jats:sub>x</jats:sub>:H) thin films prepared by Low Frequency Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (LF-PECVD). These films were deposited on a Corning 2947 glass substrate having a thickness of 3 μm, the electrical performance showed a decreased electrical resistance for low regime voltage. The root mean square (RMS) surface roughness of the films was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in a non-contact mode. A biocompatibility tests was carried out using primary cultures of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of Wistar rats. The DRG neurons were incubated for 18 hours on a-Si<jats:sub>1-x</jats:sub>Ge<jats:sub>x</jats:sub>:H thin films, and subsequent electrophysiological recording was performed. These neurons displayed typical ionic currents, including a fast-inward current at the beginning of voltage clamp pulse (Na<jats:sup>+</jats:sup> current) and ensuing outward currents (K<jats:sup>+</jats:sup> current). In current clamp experiments, depolarizing current pulse injection caused typical action potential discharge of the neurons. These results confirmed the feasibility of using a-Si<jats:sub>1-x</jats:sub>Ge<jats:sub>x</jats:sub>:H thin films as a biocompatible material.</jats:p>

Topics

• surface
• amorphous
• experiment
• thin film
• atomic force microscopy
• glass
• glass
• Silicon
• chemical vapor deposition
• biocompatibility
• Germanium