Control of ionic transport through gated single conical nanopores

Abstract

Control of ionic transport through nanoporous systems is a topic of scientific interest for the ability to create new devices that are applicable for ions and molecules in water solutions. We show the preparation of an ionic transistor based on single conical nanopores in polymer films with an insulated gold thin film "gate." By changing the electric potential applied to the "gate," the current through the device can be changed from the rectifying behavior of a typical conical nanopore to the almost linear behavior seen in cylindrical nanopores. The mechanism for this change in transport behavior is thought to be the enhancement of concentration polarization induced by the gate.