Advances in nanofluidic field-effect transistors: external voltage-controlled solid-state nanochannels for stimulus-responsive ion transport and beyond

Abstract

Ion channels, intricate protein structures facilitating precise ion passage across cell membranes, arepivotal for vital cellular functions. Inspired by the remarkable capabilities of biological ion channels, thescientific community has ventured into replicating these principles in fully abiotic solid-statenanochannels (SSNs). Since the gating mechanisms of SSNs rely on variations in the physicochemicalproperties of the channel surface, the modification of their internal architecture and chemistryconstitutes a powerful strategy to control the transport properties and, consequently, render specificfunctionalities. In this framework, both the design of the nanofluidic platform and the subsequentselection and attachment of different building blocks gain special attention. Similar to biological ionchannels, functional SSNs offer the potential to finely modulate ion transport in response to variousstimuli, leading to innovations in a variety of fields. This comprehensive review delves into the intricateworld of ion transport across stimuli-responsive SSNs, focusing on the development of external voltagecontrolled nanofluidic devices. This kind of field-effect nanofluidic technology has attracted specialinterest due to the possibility of real-time reconfiguration of the ion transport with a non-invasivestrategy. These properties have found interesting applications in drug delivery, biosensing, andnanoelectronics. This document will address the fundamental principles of ion transport through SSNsand the construction, modification, and applications of external voltage-controlled SSNs. It will alsoaddress future challenges and prospects, offering a comprehensive perspective on this evolving field.