On Induced Surface Charge in Solid-State Nanopores

Solid-state nanopores constitute a versatile platform for study of ion transport in nanoconfinement. The electrical double layer (EDL) plays a vital role in such nanoconfinements, but effects of induced surface charge on the EDL in the presence of an external transmembrane electric field are yet to be characterized. Here, the formation of induced charge on the nanopore sidewall surface and its effects, via modulation of the EDL and electroosmotic flow, on the ionic current are elucidated using a novel experimental setup with solid-state truncated-pyramidal nanopores. This study consists of three complementary approaches, i.e., an analytical model for induced surface charge, numerical simulation of induced surface charge, electroosmotic flow, and ionic current, and experimental validation with respect to the ionic current. The induced surface charge is generated by polarization in the dielectric membrane as a response to the applied electric field. This charge generation results in a nonuniform density of surface charge along the nanopore sidewall. It further causes ions in the electrolyte to redistribute, leading to a massive accumulation of single-polarity ions in the EDL and their counterions near the smaller opening of the nanopore. It also alters electrohydrodynamic properties in the nanopore, giving rise to the formation of electroosmotic vortexes in the vicinity of the smaller opening of the nanopore. Finally, the pattern of the electroosmotic flow can significantly influence the transport properties of the nanopore.