Translocation of Single-Stranded DNA Through Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Carbon Nanotube Bridge for DNA Transport The nanoporosity of carbon nanotubes has been exploited in the control of molecular transport—for example, in creating membranes. Liu et al. (p. 64 ) fabricated devices in which one single-walled carbon nanotube connects two fluid reservoirs. In some of these devices, apparently those in which the nanotube is metallic, the ionic conductivity is anomalously higher than that expected from the bulk resistivity of the electrolyte. This high conductivity was exploited for the transport of single-stranded DNA, which was accompanied by large but transient increases in the ion current.