Rectification of nanopores in aprotic solvents-transport properties of nanopores with surface dipoles

Timothy Plett, Wenqing Shi, Yuhan Zeng, William Mann, Ivan Vlassiouk, Lane A. Baker, Zuzanna S. Siwy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nanopores have become a model system to understand transport properties at the nanoscale. We report experiments and modeling of ionic current in aprotic solvents with different dipole moments through conically shaped nanopores in a polycarbonate film and through glass nanopipettes. We focus on solutions of the salt LiClO4, which is of great importance in modeling lithium based batteries. Results presented suggest ion current rectification observed results from two effects: (i) adsorption of Li+ ions to the pore walls, and (ii) a finite dipole moment rendered by adsorbed solvent molecules. Properties of surfaces in various solvents were probed by means of scanning ion conductance microscopy, which confirmed existence of an effectively positive surface potential in aprotic solvents with high dipole moments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)19080-19091
Number of pages12
JournalNanoscale
Volume7
Issue number45
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 7 2015

Funding

FundersFunder number
Office of Science

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Rectification of nanopores in aprotic solvents-transport properties of nanopores with surface dipoles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this