Revealing the Critical Role of Probe Grafting Density in Nanometric Confinement in Ionic Signal via an Experimental and Theoretical Study

Stimuli-Responsive Ion Transport Regulation in Nanochannels by Adhesion-Induced Functionalization of Macroscopic Outer Surface

Responsive regulation of ion transport through nanochannels is crucial in the design of smart nanofluidic devices for sequencing, sensing, and water-energy nexus. Functionalization of the inner wall of the nanochannel enhances interaction with ions and fluid but restricts versatile chemical approaches and accurate characterizations of fluidic interfaces. Herein, we reveal a responsive regulating mechanism of ion transport through nanochannels by polydopamine (PDA)-induced functionalization on the macroscopic outer surface of nanochannels. Responsive molecules were codeposited with PDA on the outer surface of nanochannels and formed a valve of nanometer thickness to manually manipulate ion transport by changing its gap spacing, surface charge, and wettability under external stimulus. The response ratio can be up to 100-fold by maximizing the proportion of responsive molecules on the outer surface. Laminating the codepositions of different responsive molecules with PDA on the channel's outer surface produces multiple responses. A nearly universal adhesion of PDA with responsive molecules on the open outer surface induces nanochannels responsive to different external stimuli with variable response ratios and arbitrary combinations. The results challenge the primary role of functionalization on the nanoconfined interface of nanofluidics and open opportunities for developing new-style nanofluidic devices through the functionalization of macroscopic interface.

Super-assembled periodic mesoporous organosilica membranes with hierarchical channels for efficient glutathione sensing

Bioinspired nanochannel-based sensors have elicited significant interest because of their excellent sensing performance, and robust mechanical and tunable chemical properties. However, the existing designs face limitations due to material constraints, which hamper broader application possibilities. Herein, a heteromembrane system composed of a periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) layer with three-dimensional (3D) network nanochannels is constructed for glutathione (GSH) detection. The unique hierarchical pore architecture provides a large surface area, abundant reaction sites and plentiful interconnected pathways for rapid ionic transport, contributing to efficient and sensitive detection. Moreover, the thioether groups in nanochannels can be selectively cleaved by GSH to generate hydrophilic thiol groups. Benefiting from the increased hydrophilic surface, the proposed sensor achieves efficient GSH detection with a detection limit of 1.2 μM by monitoring the transmembrane ionic current and shows good recovery ranges in fetal bovine serum sample detection. This work paves an avenue for designing and fabricating nanofluidic sensing systems for practical and biosensing applications.

Local Electric Potential-Driven Nanofluidic Ion Transport for Ultrasensitive Biochemical Sensing

Nanofluidic biosensors have been widely used for detection of analytes based on the change of system resistance before and after target-probe interactions. However, their sensitivity is limited when system resistance barely changes toward low-concentration targets. Here, we proposed a strategy to address this issue by means of target-induced change of local membrane potential under relatively unchanged system resistance. The local membrane potential originated from the directional diffusion of photogenerated carriers across nanofluidic biosensors and gated photoinduced ionic current signal before and after target-probe interactions. The sensitivity of such biosensors for the detection of biomolecules such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and lysozyme exceeds that of applying a traditional strategy by more than 3 orders of magnitude under unchanged system resistance. Such biosensors can specifically detect the small molecule biomarker in the blood sample between prostate cancer patients and healthy humans. The key advantages of such nanofluidic biosensors are therefore complementary to traditional nanofluidic biosensors, with potential applications in a point-of-care analytical tool.

Role of Outer Surface Probes on Bullet-Shaped Asymmetric Solid-State Nanochannels for Lysozyme Protein Sensing

Artificial solid-state nanochannels featuring precise partitions present a highly promising platform for biomarker detection. While the significance of probes on the outer surface (POS) has been relatively overlooked in the past, our research highlights their crucial role in biosensing. Furthermore, the contribution of POS on the bullet-shaped asymmetric nanochannels has not been extensively explored until now. Here, we fabricated a series of bullet-shaped nanochannels, each featuring a distinct asymmetric structure characterized by different tip- and base-pore diameters. These nanochannels were further modified with explicit distributions at the inner wall (PIW), the outer surface (POS), and their combination (POS + PIW) for lysozyme sensing. The impact of diameters, structural asymmetry, and surface charge density on the sensing efficacy of POS and PIW was thoroughly examined through experimental investigations and numerical simulations. POS demonstrates great individual sensing performance for lysozyme within a broad concentration range, spanning from 10 nM to 1 mM. Furthermore, it improves the sensitivity when combined with PIW, particularly within the nanochannels featuring the smaller base-pore diameter, resulting in a 2-fold increase in sensing performance for POS + PIW compared to PIW at a concentration of 10 nM. These findings are substantiated by numerical simulations that closely align with the experimental parameters. The contributions of POS are notably amplified in the presence of smaller base pores and a higher degree of asymmetry within the bullet-shaped nanochannels. These findings elucidate the mechanism underlying the role of POS within bullet-shaped asymmetric nanochannels and open up new avenues for manipulating and enhancing the sensing efficiency.

Solid-State Nanopore/Nanochannel Sensing of Single Entities

Solid-state nanopores/nanochannels, with their high stability, tunable geometry, and controllable surface chemistry, have recently become an important tool for constructing biosensors. Compared with traditional biosensors, biosensors constructed with solid-state nanopores/nanochannels exhibit significant advantages of high sensitivity, high specificity, and high spatiotemporal resolution in the detection single entities (such as single molecules, single particles, and single cells) due to their unique nanoconfined space-induced target enrichment effect. Generally, the solid-state nanopore/nanochannel modification method is the inner wall modification, and the detection principles are the resistive pulse method and the steady-state ion current method. During the detection process, solid-state nanopore/nanochannel is easily blocked by single entities, and interfering substances easily enter the solid-state nanopore/nanochannel to generate interference signals, resulting in inaccurate measurement results. In addition, the problem of low flux in the detection process of solid-state nanopore/nanochannel, these defects limit the application of solid-state nanopore/nanochannel. In this review, we introduce the preparation and functionalization of solid-state nanopore/nanochannel, the research progress in the field of single entities sensing, and the novel sensing strategies on solving the above problems in solid-state nanopore/nanochannel single-entity sensing. At the same time, the challenges and prospects of solid-state nanopore/nanochannel for single-entity electrochemical sensing are also discussed.

Optimization of Functional Group Concentration of N, N-Dimethylacrylamide-based Polymeric Coatings and Probe Immobilization for DNA and Protein Microarray Applications

We report here a deep investigation into the effect of the concentration of a polymeric coating's functional groups on probe density immobilization with the aim of establishing the optimal formulation to be implemented in specific microarray applications. It is widely known that the ideal performance of a microarray strictly depends on the way probes are tethered to the surface since it influences the way they interact with the complementary target. The N, N-dimethylacrylamide-based polymeric coating introduced by our research group in 2004 has already proven to offer great flexibility for the customization of surface properties; here, we demonstrate that it also represents the perfect scaffold for the modulation of probe grafting. With this aim in mind, polymers with increasing concentrations of N-acryloyloxysuccinimide (NAS) were synthesized and the coating procedure optimized accordingly. These were then tested not only in DNA microarray assays, but also using protein probes (with different MWs) to establish which formulation improves the assay performance in specific applications. The flexibility of this polymeric platform allowed us also to investigate a different immobilization chemistry-specifically, click chemistry reactions, thanks to the insertion of azide groups into the polymer chains-and to evaluate possible differences generated by this modification.

Inner Wall and Outer Surface Distinguished Solid-State Nanopores for Sensing

Solid-state nanopores, inspired by biological nanopores, have the advantages of good mechanical properties, stability, and easy modification. They have attracted wide attention in the fields of sequencing, sensing, molecular sieving, nanofluidic devices, nanoelectrochemistry, and energy conversion. Because of the ion/molecule transport characteristic of the pore, the research on solid-state nanopores mainly focuses on the functional modification of its inner wall. In recent years, the outer surface of nanopores has also attracted the attention of researchers, and the functional elements on the outer surface have the functions of anti-interference and ionic signal enhancement. In this perspective, we review research progress of inner wall and outer surface distinguished solid-state nanopores, highlight their processing and advantages, summarize their functions and applications in sensing, and give insight into further research.

Synergistic Effect of Bio-Inspired Nanochannels: Hydrophilic DNA Probes at Inner Wall and Hydrophobic Coating at Outer Surface for Highly Sensitive Detection

During the past few decades, bio-inspired nanochannels have been well developed and applied in biosensing, energy transfer, separation, and so on. Here, inspired by the synergistic effect of biological nanopores, biomimetic solid-state nanochannels with hydrophilic DNA probes at the inner wall (DNA@IW_Hydrophilic ) and hydrophobic coating at the outer surface (None@OS_Hydrophobic ) are designed. To demonstrate their prompted sensing properties, Hg²⁺ and its specific probe are selected as target and hydrophilic DNA probes, respectively. Compared with the traditional solid-state nanochannels with hydrophilic probes distributed on both the inner wall and outer surface, the nanochannels with DNA@IW_Hydrophilic +None@OS_Hydrophobic significantly decrease the limit of detection (LOD) by 10⁵ -fold. The obvious improvement of sensitivity (with LOD of 1 nM) is attributed to the synergistic effect: None@OS_Hydrophobic results in the nanochannel's effective diameter decrease and DNA@IW_Hydrophilic induces a specific sensing target. Meanwhile, nanomolar detection of Hg²⁺ in human serum and in vivo fish muscle are achieved. Through molecular dynamics simulation, the synergistic effect can be confirmed by ion fluxes increasement; the relative carbon nanotube increases from 135.64% to 135.84%. This work improves the understanding of nanochannels' synergistic effect and provides a significant insight for nanochannels with improved sensitivity.

Enhanced Sensing Performance of a Microchannel-Based Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor for Adenosine Triphosphate via a dsDNA Superstructure Amplification Strategy

The sensing performance of a microchannel-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor is related to the change ratio of charge density on the surface of microchannels caused by a target recognition reaction. In this study, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) served as a model target. The dsDNA superstructures containing a capture probe (CP, containing an ATP aptamer sequence) and alternating units of ssDNA probes of P1 and P2, CP/(P1/P2)_n, were grafted onto the inner wall of microchannels first. The CP in dsDNA superstructures captured ATP molecules, causing the release of dsDNA fragments containing alternating units of P1 and P2, (P1/P2)_n. The target recognition reaction significantly changed the charge density of microchannels, which altered the ECL intensity of the (1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II)/tripropylamine system in the reporting interface. The ECL intensity of the constructed system had a linear relationship with the logarithm of ATP concentration ranging from 1 fM to 100 pM with a detection limit of 0.32 fM (S/N = 3). The biosensor was successfully applied to detect ATP in rat brains.

Integrating Ordered Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks to Solid-State Nanofluidic Channels for Ultrafast and Sensitive Detection of Mercury

Grafting specific recognition moieties onto solid-state nanofluidic channels is a promising way for selective and sensitive sensing of analytes. However, the time-consuming interaction between recognition moieties and analytes is the main hindrance to the application of nanofluidic channel-based sensors in rapid detection. Here, we show the integration of ordered two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) to solid-state nanofluidic channels to achieve rapid, selective, and sensitive detection of contaminants. As a proof of concept, a thiourea-linked 2D COF (JNU-3) as the recognition unit is covalently bonded on the stable artificial anodic aluminum oxide nanochannels (AAO) to fabricate a JNU-3@AAO-based nanofluidic sensor. The rapid and selective interaction of Hg(II) with the highly ordered channels of JNU-3 allows the JNU-3@AAO-based nanofluidic sensor to realize ultrafast and precise determination of Hg(II) (90 s) with a low limit of detection (3.28 fg mL^-1), wide linear range (0.01-100 pg mL^-1), and good precision (relative standard deviation of 3.8% for 11 replicate determination of 10 pg mL^-1). The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of mercury in a certified reference material A072301c (rice powder), real water, and rice samples with recoveries of 90.4-99.8%. This work reveals the great potential of 2D COFs-modified solid-state nanofluidic channels as a sensor for the rapid and precise detection of contaminants in complicated samples.

Highly Sensitive Glass Nanopipette Sensor Using Composite Probes of DNA-Functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks

Pore structure-based analytical techniques have great potential applications for the detection of biological molecules. However, the sophistication of traditional pore sensors is restricted in their applicability of analytical chemistry due to a lack of effective carrier probes. Here, we used porous coordination network-224 (PCN-224) composite probes in conjunction with a glass nanopipette (GN) as a sensing platform. The sensor exhibits a good fluorescence signal and a change in GN's ionic current at the same time. Due to the volume exclusion mechanism coming from PCN-224, the detection limit of target DNA reaches 10 fM in a GN with a diameter of up to ca. 260 nm, outperforming a simple probe. The structure of the composite probe is optimized by the probe's pairing efficiency. Furthermore, the sensor can also discriminate between 1-, 3-, and 5-mismatch DNA sequences and capture the target DNA from a complex mixture. Based on the GN platform, a series of techniques for detecting biomolecules are expected to emerge because of its simplicity, robustness, and universality by incorporating advanced nanoprobes.

Ionic Signal Enhancement by the Space Charge Effect through the DNA Rolling Circle Amplification on the Outer Surface of Nanochannels

DNA species are recognized as a powerful probe for nanochannel analyses to address the issues of specific target recognition and highly efficient signal conversion due to their programmable and predictable Watson-Crick bases. However, in the conventional view, abundant sophisticated DNA structures synthesized by DNA amplification strategies are unsuitable for use in nanochannel analyses owing to their low probability to enter a nanochannel restricted by the smaller opening of the nanochannel, as well as the faint ion signal produced by the steric effect. Here, we present an integrated strategy of nanochannel analyses that combines the target recognitions by encoded rolling circle amplification (RCA) in solution and the ionic signal enhancement by the space charge effect through the immobilization of highly negative-charged RCA amplicons on the outer surface of the nanochannels. Owing to the highly negative-charged RCA amplicons with 100 nm sizes, a sharp increase of ionic current up to 7454% has been achieved. The RCA amplicon triggered by mRNA-21 on the outer surface of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) membrane with a single nanochannel realized the single-base mismatch detection of mRNA-21 with a sensitivity of 6 fM. The DNA amplicon endows the nanochannel with high sensitivity and selectivity that could extend to other applications, such as DNA sequencing, desalination, sieving, and water-energy nexus.

Enzyme Hinders HIV-1 Tat Viral Transport and Real-Time Measured with Nanopores

HIV-1 Tat protein, an intercellular transporter with a determinant function of delivering "information-rich" molecules in viral multiplication, was tryptic-hydrolyzed and real-time single molecule-monitored in a transmembrane pore. The electrokinetic studies revealed the catalytic and inhibitory effects on enzymatic digestion associated with Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, respectively, in response to binding interactions with trypsin. Our strategy permits accurate and distinguishable sensing of Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺ via an enzyme assay. In addition, considering the closer mimic of the real situation of HIV spread, measurements in the serum and on cells were also investigated. Transmembrane current measurements together with fluorescence microscopy imaging indicated the potential to perturb the Tat transport in the serum environment and on cells. Because the involved Tat proteolysis should prevent the occurrence of viral delivery, the presented method probably enables efficient hindrance to HIV-1 infection, in complementary to current traditional treatments.

Exponential Increase in an Ionic Signal: A Dominant Role of the Space Charge Effect on the Outer Surface of Nanochannels

Nanochannels have advantage in sensitive analyses due to the confinement effects on ionic signal in nano- or sub-nanometric confines but could realize further gains by optimizing signal mechanism. Making target recognitions on the outer surface of nanochannels has been verified to improve target recognitions and signal conversions by maximizing surfaces accessible to targets and ions, but until recently, the signal mechanism has been still unclear. Using electroneutral peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and negative-charged DNA, we verified a dominant space charge effect on an ionic signal on the outer surface of nanochannels. A typical exponential increase of the ionic signal with the charge density on the outer surface has been demonstrated through the PNA-PNA, PNA-DNA, DNA-DNA hybrid, DNA cleavage, and hybridization chain reaction. These results challenge the essential role of steric hindrance on the ionic signal and describe a new ion passageway surrounded and accelerated by the stern layer of charged species on the nanochannel outer surface.

Nanoconfinement Effect for Signal Amplification in Electrochemical Analysis and Sensing

Owing to the urgent need for electrochemical analysis and sensing of trace target molecules in various fields such as medical diagnosis, agriculture and food safety, and environmental monitoring, signal amplification is key to promoting analysis and sensing performance. The nanoconfinement effect, derived from nanoconfined spaces and interfaces with sizes approaching those of target molecules, has witnessed rapid development for ultra-sensitive analyzing and sensing. In this review, the two main types of nanoconfinement systems - confined nanochannels and planes - are assessed and recent progress is highlighted. The merits of each nanoconfinement system, the nanoconfinement effect mechanisms, and applications for electrochemical analysis and sensing are summarized and discussed. This review aims to help deepen the understanding of nanoconfinement devices and their effects in order to develop new analysis and sensing applications for researchers in various fields.

Revealing Ionic Signal Enhancement with Probe Grafting Density on the Outer Surface of Nanochannels

Probe-modified nanopores/nanochannels are one of the most advanced sensors because the probes interact strongly with ions and targets in nanoconfinement and create a sensitive and selective ionic signal. Recently, ionic signals have been demonstrated to be sensitive to the probe-target interaction on the outer surface of nanopores/nanochannels, which can offer more open space for target recognition and signal conversion than nanoconfined cavities. To enhance the ionic signal, we investigated the effect of grafting density, a critical parameter of the sensing interface, of the probe on the outer surface of nanochannels on the change rate of the ionic signal before and after target recognition (β). Electroneutral peptide nucleic acids and negatively charged DNA are selected as probes and targets, respectively. The experimental results showed that when adding the same number of targets, the β value increased with the probe grafting density on the outer surface. A theoretical model with clearly defined physical properties of each probe and target has been established. Numerical simulations suggest that the decrease of the background current and the aggregation of targets at the mouth of nanochannels with increasing probe grafting density contribute to this enhancement. This work reveals the signal mechanism of probe-target recognition on the outer surface of nanochannels and suggests a general approach to the nanochannel/nanopore design leading to sensitivity improvement on the basis of relatively good selectivity.

Exploring the contribution of charged species at the outer surface to the ion current signal of nanopores: a theoretical study

Nanopores attached to charged species realize the artificial regulation of ion transport by the electrostatic effect in nanoconfines, produce a sensitive ion current signal and play a critical role in nanopore-based analyses. However, until now, the contribution of the charged species at the outer surface, an inherent component of nanopores, to the ion current signal has not yet been fully investigated. Here, we theoretically investigate the contribution of the charged species at the outer surface to the ion current signal of a conical nanopore. The results indicate that when the electrostatic effect at the tip of the conical nanopore is strengthened, the contribution from the charged species at the outer surface to the ionic current signal becomes stronger or even predominant compared with that of the inner walls. This effect can be further enhanced using nanopore arrays with small openings and low pore density in a low concentration electrolyte. This work focuses on the working mechanism of nanopores with a high-efficient signal conversion and promotes the performance of nanopores with a regional distribution of charged probes and targets.