Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China and other international institutions have developed a novel method to monitor chemical reactions within nanoscale pores, which could have significant implications for the energy industry. The team, led by Professor Shangzhong Jin, has created a plasmonic nanopore that can track chemical processes with high precision, offering new insights into the control of nanofluidic systems.
The study focuses on the challenge of controlling the opening and closing of solid-state nanopores, a process known as gating. The researchers demonstrated that by applying a voltage, they could trigger the precipitation and dissolution of metal phosphates within the nanopore. This reversible process effectively acts as a nanofluidic diode, allowing for controlled ion flow. Under a negative bias, metal phosphate precipitates form, obstructing ion flow and reducing current. Switching the polarity dissolves these precipitates, restoring ionic conductance.
To monitor these chemical reactions more directly, the team employed a plasmonic nanopore. This advanced tool generates strong confined fields, enabling surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements within the nanopore volume during cyclic gating. The SERS measurements validated the proposed in-pore chemistry and highlighted the potential of plasmonic nanopores as powerful tools for monitoring nanoscale chemical processes with high spatial resolution.
The practical applications for the energy sector are promising. For instance, this technology could be used to develop more efficient and precise control mechanisms for nanofluidic systems in energy storage and conversion devices. The ability to monitor and control chemical reactions at the nanoscale could lead to advancements in battery technology, fuel cells, and other energy-related applications. The research was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.