Scaling for rectification of bipolar nanopores as a function of a modified Dukhin number: the case of 1:1 electrolytes

Abstract

The scaling behavior for the rectification of bipolar nanopores is studied using the Nernst-Planck equation coupled to the Local Equilibrium Monte Carlo method. The bipolar nanopore's wall carries $\sigma$ and $-\sigma$ surface charge densities in its two half regions axially. Scaling means that the device function (rectification) depends on the system parameters (pore length, $H$, pore radius, $R$, concentration, $c$, voltage, $U$, and surface charge density, $\sigma$) via a single scaling parameter that is a smooth analytical function of the system parameters. Here, we suggest using a modified Dukhin number, $\mathrm{mDu}=|\sigma |l_{\mathrm{B}}^{\ast }{\lambda }_{\mathrm{D}}HU/(R{U}_0)$, where $l_{\mathrm{B}}^{\ast }=8\pi l_{\mathrm{B}}$, $l_{\mathrm{B}}$ is the Bjerrum length, ${\lambda }_{\mathrm{D}}$ is the Debye length, and $U_0$ is a reference voltage. We show how scaling depends on $H$, $U$, and $\sigma$ and through what mechanisms these parameters influence the pore's behavior.