Probing nanotube-nanopore interactions

Phys Rev Lett. 2005 Nov 18;95(21):216103. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.216103. Epub 2005 Nov 18.

Abstract

We demonstrate a new nanoscale system consisting of a nanotube threaded through a nanopore in aqueous solution. Its electrical and mechanical properties are sensitive to experimentally controllable conformational changes on sub-Angstrom length scales. Ionic current transport through a nanopore is significantly suppressed by the threading nanotube and the mechanical interactions between the nanotube and pore are accounted for by a folding geometry. The experiments provide first measurements of the longitudinal resolution and metrology of a solid-state nanopore "microscope." This new nanostructure provides a means to study molecule-nanotube interactions in conducting ionic solutions as well as geometrical and surface properties of nanopores and nanotubes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Membranes / chemistry
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial