Multimodal nanoparticle analysis enabled by a polymer electrolyte nanopore combined with nanoimpact electrochemistry†

Abstract

Nanopores are emerging as a powerful tool for the analysis and characterization of nanoparticles at the single entity level. Here, we report that a PEG-based polymer electrolyte present inside the nanopore enables the enhanced detection of nanoparticles at low ionic strength. We develop a numerical model that recapitulates the electrical response of the glass nanopore system, revealing the response to be sensitive to the position of the polymer electrolyte interface. As proof of concept, we demonstrate the multimodal analysis of a nanoparticle sample by coupling the polymer electrolyte nanopore sensor with nanoimpact electrochemistry. This combination of techniques could deliver the multiparametric analysis of nanoparticle systems complementing electrochemical reactivity data provided by nanoimpact electrochemistry with information on size, shape and surface charge provided by nanopore measurements.