Mechanically activated ionic transport across single-digit carbon nanotubes.

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Physical Chemistry
• Biophysics

Background:

• Nanoscale fluid and ionic transport exhibit complex behaviors.
• Artificial nanofluidic devices lack the advanced functionalities of biological systems, such as mechanosensitive transport.
• Carbon nanotubes offer a promising platform for nanoscale transport studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate ionic transport through multiwalled carbon nanotubes under combined electrical and mechanical forces.
• To understand the mechanisms behind mechanically activated ionic transport in artificial systems.
• To explore the potential for creating bio-inspired nanofluidic devices.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing individual 2-nm-radius multiwalled carbon nanotubes.
• Applying combined mechanical pressure and electrical forcing.
• Conducting theoretical studies to model ionic transport behavior.

Main Results:

• Mechanically activated ionic transport was observed, with ionic conductance quadratically dependent on applied pressure.
• A theoretical model revealed the interplay between electrical and mechanical forces.
• Superlubricity of carbon nanotubes was identified as essential for mechanically activated transport.

Conclusions:

• Artificial systems can exhibit mechanically activated ionic transport, similar to biological mechanosensitive ion channels.
• The findings highlight the role of carbon nanotube superlubricity in pressure-dependent transport.
• This research opens avenues for developing novel, bio-inspired active nanofluidic devices.