Nanocrystalline Graphite Nanopores for DNA Sensing

Abstract Free-standing nanocrystalline graphite (NCG) membranes directly grew on SiNx substrates with the aid of the catalyst-free chemical vapor deposition method. A new type of NCG nanopores was formed in the NCG membrane via a controlled dielectric breakdown in KCl electrolyte. The electrical properties, especially the ionic conductance of the NCG nanopores were examined under different physical parameters (pore size, ion strength, and pH condition). Due to their impressive transport properties, we first realized DNA sensing using the NCG nanopores.