Enhanced Ionic Transport Mechanism by Gramicidin A Confined Inside Nanopores Tuned by Atomic Layer Deposition

Abstract

The confinement and the understanding of ion transport through ionic channels when they are confined inside solid-state nanopores smaller than 10 nm remains a challenge. Here we report on the fabrication of biomimetic nanopores with high length (5 μm)/diameter (smaller than 10 nm) ratio obtained using both a track-etched technique and atomic layer deposition on flexible membranes. These membranes present uniform hydrophobic nanopores with a low roughness inside the pores. Gramicidin A is then confined inside nanopores (diameter 10.6, 5.7, and ∼2 nm) leading to the NaCl ionic transport mechanism through a hybrid nanopore similar to the biological ones especially for small diameter (5.7 and ∼2 nm).