Influence of Transmembrane Ionic Current Based on PNIPAM-Modified Nanochannels

With the inspiration of biological ion channels from nature, the scientific community started to build up biomimetic nanochannels/nanopores, especially for the functional modification of the nanochannels/nanopores. However, there is no detailed explanation for the dominant reason that influences transmembrane ionic current in the modification process. Here, we studied the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method into an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane. There are detailed explanations for the dominant reason, including the steric and hydrophilic–hydrophobic effects that influence transmembrane ionic current in the modification process. The findings pointing to the modified membrane provide a general and convenient method for the migration behavior of hydrophilic and hydrophobic ions, which has a potential application prospect.