title: Rectification of the ionic current through carbon nanotubes by electrostatic assembly of polyelectrolytes.
abstract: Rectification of the ionic current flowing through nanotubes embedded in a polymeric membrane is achieved by selective adsorption of polycations to the nanotubes' mouths. A one-dimensional model of ionic flux through a nanotube with charged entrance regions qualitatively describes current-voltage curves before and after polycation exposure; reversal potential measurements confirm that charge reversal takes place upon polycation adsorption. The inherent simply of this electrostatic approach makes it attractive in membrane and nanofluidic applications employing rectification.
authors.affiliation: Polymers Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA.
authors.forename: Neal R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Scruggs
authors.forename: Joseph W F
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kasianowicz
authors.forename: Kalman B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Migler