Diode-like ion track asymmetric nanopores: some alternative methods of fabrication

P.Yu Apel (1, 2) , I.V. Blonskaya (1) , O.L. Orelovitch (1) , S.N. Dmitriev (1)

1 FLNR - Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions [Dubna]
2 The International University Dubna

We present two fabrication methods which allow production of ion track nanopore membranes with pronounced geometrical asymmetry and diode-like ionic conductivity. The asymmetry of the pores is provided by self-assembly of surfactant molecules at ion track entrances on one side of the ion-irradiated polymer foil. On the other side of the membrane, the effect of surfactant is excluded using a pre-treatment with ultraviolet radiation or a surfactant-free etching solution. Highly tapered pore profiles are obtained and characterized using SEM and FESEM. In electrolyte solutions, the asymmetric pores thus fabricated exhibit a high rectification of electric current. The nanopores with a large angle aperture can be of interest for resistive-pulse technique applications and for the atomic beam projection nanolithography.

Mots clés: ion-track; nanopores; surfactant; etching; ionic conductance; nanofluidic diode

Domaines: Science des matériaux [cond-mat.mtrl-sci]

P.Yu Apel, I.V. Blonskaya, O.L. Orelovitch, S.N. Dmitriev. Diode-like ion track asymmetric nanopores: some alternative methods of fabrication. The Seventh International Symposium on Swift Heavy Ions in Matter, Jun 2008, Lyon, France. ⟨hal-00258254⟩