Rectification Of Ion Current Determined By The Nanopore Geometry: Experiments And Modelling

We provide a way to precisely control the geometry of a SiNx nanopore by adjusting the applied electric pulse. The pore is generated by applying the current pulse across a SiNx membrane, which is immersed in potassium chloride solution. We can generate single conical and cylindrical pores with different electric pulses. A theoretical model based on the Poisson and Nernst-Planck equations is employed to simulate the ion transport properties in the channel. In turn, we can analyze pore geometries by fitting the experimental current-voltage (I-V) curves. For the conical pores with a pore size of 0.5-2nm in diameter, the slope angles are around -2.5 degrees to -10 degrees. Moreover, the pore orifice can be enlarged slightly by additional repeating pulses. The conic pore lumen becomes close to a cylindrical channel, resulting in a symmetry I-V transport under positive and negative biases. A qualitative understanding of these effects will help us to prepare useful solid-nanopores as demanded.