Nanopore Device for Reversible Ion and Molecule Sensing or Migration

摘要

Disclosed are methods and devices for detection of ion migration and binding, utilizing a nanopipette adapted for use in an electrochemical sensing circuit. The nanopipette may be functionalized on its interior bore with metal chelators for binding and sensing metal ions or other specific binding molecules such as boronic acid for binding and sensing glucose. Such a functionalized nanopipette is comprised in an electrical sensor that detects when the nanopipette selectively and reversibly binds ions or small molecules. Also disclosed is a nanoreactor, comprising a nanopipette, for controlling precipitation in aqueous solutions by voltage-directed ion migration, wherein ions may be directed out of the interior bore by a repulsing charge in the bore.

主权项

1. A method for creating an ionic compound from two different ions in solution, comprising:
(a) providing at least one first ion species having a charge in a solution inside of a nanopipette, said nanopipette having a nanopore between an interior of the nanopipette and an exterior solution; (b) providing a second ion species in the exterior solution; and (c) applying, to the first ion species having a charge in a solution inside of a nanopipette, a voltage across the nanopore of opposite charge from the charge on the first ion species, said voltage sufficient to cause migration of said first ion species to the nanopore to react with said second ion species to form an ionic compound.