Ion Transport in pH-Regulated Double-Barreled Nanopores.

ABSTRACT

Single-molecule detection and characterization with nanopores is a powerful technique that does not require labeling. Multinanopore systems, especially double nanopores, have attracted wide attention and have been applied in many fields. However, theoretical studies of electrokinetic ion transport in nanopores mainly focus on single nanopores. In this paper, for the first time, a theoretical study of pH-regulated double-barreled nanopores is conducted using three-dimensional Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations and Navier-Stokes equations. Four ionic species and the surface chemistry on the walls of the nanopores are included. The results demonstrate that the properties of the bulk salt solution significantly affect nanopore conductivity and ion transport phenomena in nanopores. There are two ion-enriched zones and two ion-depleted zones in double-barreled nanopores. Due to the symmetry of the double-barreled nanopore structure and surface charge density, there is no ionic rectification effect in double-barreled nanopores. The ion selectivity is similar to that of conventional single pH-regulated nanopores.