Deciphering the biphasic pulse signals based on nanoparticles translocated through nanopores
Jie Ma1, Guohao Xi1, Zijie Zhou1
1State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
Talanta
|August 6, 2025
Summary
Investigating gold nanoparticle translocation through silicon nitride nanopores reveals biphasic current signals under low-salt conditions. Applied voltage and pore size influence these signals, crucial for optimizing nanopore sensing technology.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Solid-state nanopores are advanced tools for label-free, high-throughput single-molecule detection.
- They are widely utilized in various biomolecular analysis applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gold nanoparticle translocation through silicon nitride nanopores.
- To examine the effects of applied voltage and nanopore diameter on translocation signals under low-salt conditions.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation of gold nanoparticle translocation.
- Theoretical simulations to analyze translocation dynamics.
- Systematic variation of applied voltage and nanopore diameter.
Main Results:
- Gold nanoparticle translocation under low-salt conditions exhibits biphasic current pulses.
- Biphasic signals arise from volume exclusion and surface charge interactions.
- Increasing positive voltage shifts signals to a biphasic pattern (initial increase, then reduction).
- Signal profile depends on nanopore size: enhanced current in smaller pores, blocked current in larger pores.
Conclusions:
- Findings provide experimental validation for optimizing nanopore dimensions in gold nanoparticle detection.
- Results advance the development of nanopore-based single-particle sensing applications.
