Ionic current flow through ZnO nanotubes.
The control of ionic current (electrolyte) flow through zinc oxide (ZnO) nanotubes is investigated. We studied a structure operating like a field effect transistor with a tunable ionic flow. The main investigation tool used was molecular dynamics simulation. We complemented the molecular dynamics simulation with the site binding method in order to study the effect of the double layer on the ionic current flowing through the nanotube. We achieved this by considering the electrolyte solution as a virtual semiconductor wire. The double layer capacitance and surface charge of the inner walls of the ZnO nanotube have been calculated. The results indicate that ZnO nanotubes can be tuned to operate as ion selectors. ZnO nanotubes exhibit enhanced functionality with characteristics similar to those of the nanopore membrane.
Al-Hilli
Safaa
S
Department of Science and Technology, ITN, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden. Safaa.Al-Hilli@itn.liu.se
Willander
M
M