Scan-rate-dependent current rectification of cone-shaped silica nanopores in quartz nanopipettes

J Am Chem Soc. 2010 Dec 8;132(48):17088-91. doi: 10.1021/ja1086497. Epub 2010 Nov 12.

Abstract

Here we report the voltammetric behavior of cone-shaped silica nanopores in quartz nanopipettes in aqueous solutions as a function of the scan rate, v. Current rectification behavior for silica nanopores with diameters in the range 4-25 nm was studied. The rectification behavior was found to be strongly dependent on the scan rate. At low scan rates (e.g., v < 1 V/s), the rectification ratio was found to be at its maximum and relatively independent of v. At high scan rates (e.g., v > 200 V/s), a nearly linear current-voltage response was obtained. In addition, the initial voltage was shown to play a critical role in the current-voltage response of cone-shaped nanopores at high scan rates. We explain this v-dependent current-voltage response by ionic redistribution in the vicinity of the nanopore mouth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrochemistry
  • Nanopores*
  • Quartz*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Water
  • Quartz
  • Silicon Dioxide