Single Molecule Discrimination of Heteropolytungstates and Their Isomers in Solution with a Nanometer-Scale Pore

J Am Chem Soc. 2016 Jun 15;138(23):7228-31. doi: 10.1021/jacs.6b02917. Epub 2016 Jun 2.

Abstract

We report a new method to identify metallic nanoclusters (polyoxometalate structures) in solution at the single molecule limit using a nanometer-scale pore. The technique allows the measurement of polyoxometalates with over 2 orders of magnitude lower analyte concentration than conventional analytical chemistry tools. Furthermore, pH-dependent structural changes in phosphotungstic acid are measured with protein nanopores and validated with NMR. We further demonstrate that the method can also discriminate [PW9O34](9-) structural isomers. The results suggest this technique can serve as a complementary approach to traditional methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Isomerism
  • Models, Chemical
  • Nanopores / ultrastructure*
  • Phosphotungstic Acid / chemistry*
  • Proteins* / chemistry
  • Proteins* / ultrastructure
  • Solutions
  • Static Electricity

Substances

  • Proteins
  • Solutions
  • Phosphotungstic Acid