Nernst-Planck model of photo-triggered, pH–tunable ionic transport through nanopores functionalized with “caged” lysine chains

Abstract

Nasir, S.; Ramirez Hoyos, P.; Ali, M.; Ahmed, I.; Fruk, L.; Mafé, S.; Ensinger, W. (2013). Nernst-Planck model of photo-triggered, pH-tunable ionic transport through nanopores functionalized with "caged" lysine chains. Journal of Chemical Physics. 138(3):034709-1-034709-11. doi:10.1063/1.4775811. Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Electronic mail: m.ali@gsi.de AbstractWe describe the fabrication of asymmetric nanopores sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light and give a detailed account of the divalent ionic transport through these pores using a theoretical model based on the Nernst-Planck equations. The pore surface is decorated with lysine chains having pH-sensitive (amine and carboxylic acid) moieties that are caged with photo-labile 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzyl (NVOC) groups. The uncharged hydrophobic NVOC groups are removed using UV irradiation, leading to the generation of hydrophilic "uncaged" amphoteric groups on the pore surface. We demonstrate experimentally that polymer membranes containing single pore and arrays of asymmetric nanopores can be employed for the pH-controlled transport of ionic and molecular analytes. Comparison between theory and experiment allows for understanding the individual properties of the 2 phototriggered nanopores and provides also useful clues for the design and fabrication of multipore membranes to be used in practical applications.

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“…Note that X F should be obtained by solving the and -COOH groups [23,32]. The electric potential and concentrations at x = 0 and x = L (Fig.…”

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“…Integration of several pores in a series arrangement can allow multiple sensing and actuating processes. Figure 2 suggests an experimental realization for the enabled OR (EnOR) function, in which a simple binary output (current) can be obtained from different combinations of chemical, thermal, and electrical [21], [22], [41], [43], [65], [66], [67], [70], [83] Optical UV light and photo-labile groups [48], [68], [69], [70], [71], [72] inputs. The currents are estimated from the individual pore conductance values.…”