LAUSR

The study of transport of ionic species through a nanopore is important in determining the underlying behavior of electrolytes on the nanoscale; the understanding of which has important applications in the development of biomolecular sensors and nanofluidic diodes. Here, we present a novel model for ion transport through a nanopore that couples the Poisson–Nernst–Planck equations with Butler–Volmer kinetics at the electrode/electrolyte interface. This model overcomes an implicit and unintended assumption of existing models, where the simulated current–voltage curve depends on the size of the electrolyte reservoirs on either side of the nanopore. Furthermore, solutions to the proposed model allow for meaningful comparison of simulated current–voltage curves with experimental results available in the literature. These simulated results accurately predict the magnitude of the experimental current over the positive potential region.