Rectification of Ion Current in Nanopores Depends on the Type of Monovalent Cations: Experiments and Modeling.

ABSTRACT: Rectifying nanopores feature ion currents that are higher for voltages of one polarity compared to the currents recorded for corresponding voltages of the opposite polarity. Rectification of nanopores has been found to depend on the pore opening diameter and distribution of surface charges on the pore walls as well as pore geometry. Very little is known, however, on the dependence of ionic rectification on the type of transported ions of the same charge. We performed experiments with single conically shaped nanopores in a polymer film and recorded current-voltage curves in three electrolytes: LiCl, NaCl, and KCl. Rectification degrees of the pores, quantified as the ratio of currents recorded for voltages of opposite polarities, were the highest for KCl and the lowest for LiCl. The experim

SUBMITTER: Gamble T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4317049 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature