Silane-Enriched Conducting Polymer Thin Films Improve Supported Lipid Bilayer Formation

Abstract

Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) on conductive polymer devices provide a powerful platform for studying membrane processes, enabling cost-effective, label-free, high-throughput bioelectronic sensing. However, their reproducible formation, particularly from native membrane components, remains challenging. Here, we investigate how silane functional groups incorporated into poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) thin films influence SLB formation and device performance. By systematically varying silane content, we observe increased silicon incorporation with only moderate changes in film stiffness. Improved lipid mobility and bilayer continuity were revealed by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching on silane-enriched films, while higher membrane resistance measured via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated more complete and insulating SLBs. These effects persist when the films are used as channels in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) and allow for detecting enzymatic disruption of the SLB by phospholipase A2. Overall, silane incorporation in PEDOT:PSS provides an effective strategy to enhance the reproducible formation of high-quality SLBs for bioelectronic applications.