Electrochemical transport properties of a cone-shaped nanopore: high and low electrical conductivity states depending on the sign of an applied electrical potential difference

Abstract

Siwy and Fulinski have reported (Phys. Rev. Lett., 2002, 89, 198 103) that an alternating electrical current (frequency, e.g., ν = 0.01 s⁻¹) passing through a single cone-shaped pore which is embedded in a polymer foil causes a net transport of potassium chloride across the pore. The foil separates two aqueous potassium chloride solutions having the same composition or different compositions. Two silver/silver chloride electrodes are used to pass an electric current across the pore. In the present study these findings are analysed in terms of the “model of the membrane with narrow pores”. This analysis leads to a qualitative explanation of the reported transport phenomenon distinctly different from that given by Siwy and Fulinski.