Electrostatic gating of ionic fluxes at conical glass nanopores

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Bund
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: from 2008 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 65636066

This project deals with ionic fluxes (mainly K+ and Cl-) at conical glass nanopores. Such nanopores can be easily and reproducibly manufactured in a standard lab. They show the interesting feature of ion current rectification (ICR) which means that their steady state current voltage curve deviates from a straight line. A preliminary for ICR seems to be that one ionic species translocates preferentially through the orifice. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Our aim is to contribute to the fundamental understanding of ICR. We also propose an approach how to realize a direct electrostatic gating of the ionic fluxes at metallized nanopores. Synthetic nanopores are widely used as model systems for biological pores. Selectivity of ionic fluxes is a key feature for the functioning of biological pores, and we expect our results to be interesting for the biophysical community.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants