Free-Standing Bilayered Nanoparticle Superlattice Nanosheets with Asymmetric Ionic Transport Behaviors.
Natural cell membranes can directionally and selectively regulate the ion transport, which is critical for the functioning of living cells. Here, we report on the fabrication of an artificial membrane based on an asymmetric nanoparticle superlattice bilayered nanosheet, which exhibits similar ion transport characteristics. The superlattice nanosheets were fabricated via a drying-mediated self-assembly of polystyrene-capped gold nanoparticles at the liquid-air interface. By adopting a layer-by-layer assembly process, an asymmetric nanomembrane could be obtained consisting of two nanosheets with different nanoparticle size. The resulting nanomembranes exhibit an asymmetric ion transport behavior, and diode-like current-voltage curves were observed. The asymmetric ion transport is attributed to the cone-like nanochannels formed within the membranes, upon which a simulation map was established to illustrate the relationship between the channel structure and the ionic selectivity, in consistency with our experimental results. Our superlattice nanosheet-based design presents a promising strategy for the fabrication of next-generation smart nanomembranes for rationally and selectively regulating the ion transport even at a large ion flux, with potential applications in a wide range of fields, including biosensor devices, energy conversion, biophotonics, and bioelectronics.
Beijing Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Energy Materials and Devices, School of Chemistry and Environment, Beihang University , Beijing 100191, P. R. China.|Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Beihang University , Beijing 100191, P. R. China.
Siyuan
S
Rao
Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University , Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
Kae Jye
KJ
Si
Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University , Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
Lim Wei
LW
Yap
Beijing Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Energy Materials and Devices, School of Chemistry and Environment, Beihang University , Beijing 100191, P. R. China.|Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Beihang University , Beijing 100191, P. R. China.
Yan
Y
Xiang
Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University , Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.|The Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication , 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
Wenlong
W
Cheng
D004560:Electricity; D004563:Electrochemistry; D017136:Ion Transport; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size
D007477:Ions
bilayer; ionic selectivity; nanochannel; nanoparticle superlattice; nanosheets