Aprotic Solvent Accumulation Amplifies Ion Current Rectification in Conical Nanopores.

ABSTRACT: Ion current rectification is highly reported in aqueous electrochemical systems and sensors but lacks exploration in organic systems due to the additional complexity introduced by non-aqueous solvents. Herein, a detailed study on ion current rectification with highly polar and mildly polar aprotic organic solvents as a function of tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate supporting electrolyte concentration is presented. To explain our experimental results, we introduce a previously unreported phenomenon: the formation of a double-junction diode within the nanopore that arises due to a complex interplay between ion and solvent enrichment effects. Finite element simulations are used to explore this phenomenon and the subsequent effect on the rectifying behavior of conical quartz nanopores.

SUBMITTER: Farrell EB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9358645 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature