Rectification properties of conically shaped nanopores: Consequences of miniaturization
Pietschmann JF, Wolfram MT, Burger M, Trautmann C, Nguyen G, Pevarnik M, Bayer V, Siwy Z (2013)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2013
Journal
Book Volume: 15
Pages Range: 16917-16926
Issue: 39
DOI: 10.1039/c3cp53105h
Abstract
Nanopores attracted a great deal of scientific interest as templates for biological sensors as well as model systems to understand transport phenomena at the nanoscale. The experimental and theoretical analysis of nanopores has been so far focused on understanding the effect of the pore opening diameter on ionic transport. In this article we present systematic studies on the dependence of ion transport properties on the pore length. Particular attention was given to the effect of ion current rectification exhibited in conically shaped nanopores with homogeneous surface charges. We found that reducing the length of conically shaped nanopores significantly lowered their ability to rectify ion current. However, rectification properties of short pores can be enhanced by tailoring the surface charge and the shape of the narrow opening. Furthermore we analyzed the relationship of the rectification behavior and ion selectivity for different pore lengths. All simulations were performed using MsSimPore, a software package for solving the Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) equations. It is based on a novel finite element solver and allows for simulations up to surface charge densities of -2 e per nm2. MsSimPore is based on 1D reduction of the PNP model, but allows for a direct treatment of the pore with bulk electrolyte reservoirs, a feature which was previously used in higher dimensional models only. MsSimPore includes these reservoirs in the calculations, a property especially important for short pores, where the ionic concentrations and the electric potential vary strongly inside the pore as well as in the regions next to the pore entrance. © 2013 The Owner Societies.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
University of California Irvine
United States (USA) (US)
Medizinische Universität Wien
Austria (AT)
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Germany (DE)
Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster
Germany (DE)
GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH
Germany (DE)
United States (USA) (US)
Medizinische Universität Wien
Austria (AT)
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Germany (DE)
Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster
Germany (DE)
GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Pietschmann, J.-F., Wolfram, M.-T., Burger, M., Trautmann, C., Nguyen, G., Pevarnik, M.,... Siwy, Z. (2013). Rectification properties of conically shaped nanopores: Consequences of miniaturization. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 15, 16917-16926. https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c3cp53105h
MLA:
Pietschmann, J. -F., et al. "Rectification properties of conically shaped nanopores: Consequences of miniaturization." Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 15 (2013): 16917-16926.
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