How to Control the Ion Transport Through a Nanochannel Using a Redox Polymer
V. M. Cayón1*, G. Laucirica1, Y. T. Terrones1, M. L. Cortez1, M. E. Toimil-Molares2, C. Trutmann2, W. A. Marmisollé1 y O. Azzaroni1
1 - Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, CONICET – La Plata, Argentina.
2 - GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
Abstract: Ionic transport through nanometer-sized channels is critically dependent on the geometry and surface charge of the walls of these channels. In them, the ionic current is sensitive to external variables that are capable of generating changes in surface charge, allowing the transport control. Currently, nanochannels where the ionic conductance depends on the applied electrical potential are being explored. These devices are known as nanofluidic field-effect transistors (nFETs).1 Particularly, the combination of these systems and electroactive polymers has allowed creating electrochemically addressable devices. This work presents an electro-modulated nanofluidic device based on the integration of poly-o-aminophenol (POAP) in asymmetric nanochannels.2 The electropolymerization of POAP allowed not only having a programmable tip diameter but also offered precise and very rapid control of ionic transport by the application of different electrical potentials.
REFERENCE
1. Prakash, S. & Conlisk, A. T. Field effect nanofluidics. Lab Chip 16, 3855–3865 (2016).
2. Laucirica, G. et al. Electrochemically addressable nanofluidic devices based on PET nanochannels modified with electropolymerized poly- o -aminophenol films. Nanoscale (2020) doi:10.1039/C9NR10336H.
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