Nanoscale optoelectrodes hold the potential to stimulate optically individual neurons and intracellular organelles, a challenge that demands both a high-density of photoelectron storage and significant charge injection. Here, we report that zinc porphyrin, commonly used in dye-sensitized solar cells, can be self-assembled into nanorods and then coated by TiO₂. The J-aggregated zinc porphyrin array enables long-range exciton diffusion and allows for fast electron transfer into TiO₂. The formation of TiO₂(e⁻) attracts positive charges around the neuron membrane, contributing to the induction of action potentials. Far-field cranial irradiation of the motor cortex using a 670 nm laser or an 850 nm femtosecond laser can modulate local neuronal firing and trigger motor responses in the hind limb of mice. The pulsed photoelectrical stimulation of neurons in the subthalamic nucleus alleviates parkinsonian symptoms in mice, improving abnormal stepping and enhancing the activity of dopaminergic neurons. Our results suggest injectable nanoscopic optoelectrodes for optical neuromodulation with high efficiency and negligible side effects.

纳米级光电极具有刺激单个神经元和细胞内细胞器的光学潜力，这是一项既需要高密度光电子存储又需要大量电荷注入的挑战。在这里，我们报道了染料敏化太阳能电池中常用的锌卟啉可以自组装成纳米棒，然后被TiO ₂涂覆。 J聚集的锌卟啉阵列能够实现长程激子扩散，并允许电子快速转移到TiO ₂中。 TiO ₂ (e ^- ) 的形成吸引神经元膜周围的正电荷，有助于动作电位的诱导。使用 670 nm 激光或 850 nm 飞秒激光对运动皮层进行远场颅脑照射可以调节局部神经元放电并触发小鼠后肢的运动反应。对丘脑底核神经元进行脉冲光电刺激可减轻小鼠帕金森症状，改善步态异常，增强多巴胺能神经元的活性。我们的结果表明可注射纳米光电极用于光学神经调节，具有高效率和可忽略不计的副作用。