Etched ion-track membranes are fabricated at GSI by heavy ion irradiation and chemical etching. Pore density and pore arrangement are selected by the irradiation conditions. Pore density can be adjusted during the irradiation step between 1 pore/sample and ~ 10¹⁰ ions/cm². Pore size and geometry are controlled by the etching parameters. Typical pore sizes range between ~ 15 nm and few micrometers in diameter. Using this technique, cylindrical, conical, and bi-conical pores have been fabricated.

Single-pore membranes

• Single nanopore membranes are fabricated at GSI by irradiation with a single heavy ion and subsequent chemical etching.
• After irradiation, the polymer foil is introduced in a two-compartment electrochemical cell. The ion track created by the ion is selectively etched. The etching process is monitored by recording the current-time characteristics, using two electrodes immersed each in one of the two compartments. Geometry and size of the resulting nanopore are controlled by the etching conditions (solution, concentration, temperature).
• Using the same electrochemical cell, the ionic transport through the single nanopore is investigated. These solid state polymeric nanopores are employed as model systems to study the controlled passage of ions through nanochannels. To understand the ionic flow through natural ion channels and artificial nanopores is of fundamental interest in biology, physics, medicine, and chemistry.
• Single nanopore membranes are also used as sensors to detect and control the pass of molecules, viruses, or particles. In these experiments, the ionic current through the single nanopore at a given potential is monitored. Variations of the current (events) are then correlated to the single objects blocking partly the nanopore on their way through.
• Another strategy to develop responsive systems and single nanopore sensors rely in incorporating sensing elements into polymer nanochannels and monitoring the intronic output.

Recent Publications

Biomimetic Solid-State Nanochannels for Chemical and Biological Sensing Applications, G. Laucirica, Y. Toum Terrones, V. Cayón, M.L. Cortez, M.E. Toimil-Molares, C. Trautmann, W. Marmisollé, O. Azzaroni, Trends in Analytical Chemistry, In press (2021)

Conical Nanotubes Synthesized by Atomic Layer Deposition of Al₂O₃, TiO₂, and SiO₂ in Etched Ion-Track Nanochannels, N. Ulrich, A. Spende, L. Burr, N. Sobel, I. Schubert, C. Hess, C. Trautmann, M.E. Toimil-Molares, Nanomaterials 11 (2021) 1874.

Borate-driven ionic rectifiers based on sugar-bearing single nanochannels, V. Cayón, G.Laucirica, Y. Toum Terrones,   M.L. Cortez, G. Pérez-Mitta, J. Shen, C. Hess, M.E. Toimil-Molares, C. Trautmann, W.A. Marmisollé, O. Azzaroni, Nanoscale 13 (2021) 11232.  

High-sensitivity detection of dopamine by biomimetic nanofluidic diodes derivatized with poly (3-aminobenzylamine), G Laucirica, YT Terrones, VM Cayón, ML Cortez, ME Toimil-Molares, C. Trautmann, W. Marmisollé, O. Azzaroni, Nanoscale 12 (2020), 18390.

Molecular Design of Solid-State Nanopores: Fundamental Concepts and Applications,G. Pérez-Mitta, M.E. Toimil-Molares, C. Trautmann, W.A. Marmisollé, O. Azzaroni, Adv. Mater. 31 (2019) 1901483.

TiO₂, SiO₂, and Al₂O₃ coated nanopores and nanotubes produced by ALD in etched ion-track membranes for transport measurements, A. Spende, N. Sobel, M. Lukas, R. Zierold, J.C. Riedl, L. Gura, I. Schubert, J.M. Montero Moreno, K. Nielsch, B. Stühn, C. Hess, C. Trautmann, M.E. Toimil-Molares, Nanotechnology 26 (2015) 335301.  

MAT beam time schedule 2024

Beam time at GSI

Gratulation

Wir gratulieren Nils Ulrich herzlich zum erfolgreichen Abschluss seiner Promotion am 18. Oktober 2024 an der TU Darmstadt. In seiner Doktorarbeit beschäftigte sich Nils mit freistehenden, nanostrukturierten Kupferdrahtnetzwerken als Katalysatoren für die elektrochemische CO₂-Reduktion. Nils hat bereits vor fast 2 Jahren eine spannende neue Forschungsaufgabe in der Galvanikindustrie übernommen. Wir wünschen ihm Zufriedenheit und Erfolg.

+++++++++++++

Congratulation

We congratulate Nils Ulrich on the successful completion of his PhD thesis on October 18, 2024, at TU Darmstadt. In his thesis project, Nils investigated free-standing, nanostructured copper wire networks as catalysts for electrochemical CO₂ reduction. Nils has already taken on an exciting new research position in the galvanic industry. We wish him continued satisfaction and success.

+++++++++++++

Giersch Award für Maxim Saifulin

Dr. Maxim Saifulin wurde mit dem Preis der Giersch-Stiftung für herausragende Dissertationen 2024 ausgezeichnet. Er erhielt den Preis für seine Arbeit „Fast scintillating ZnO ceramics for relativistic heavy-ion beam diagnostics“. Die Arbeit basiert auf einem gemeinsamen Projekt der Abteilungen Strahldiagnostik und Materialforschung und befasste sich mit der Entwicklung eines ultraschnellen Keramikdetektors für ionisierende Strahlung auf der Basis von Zinkoxid-Nanokristallen. Aufgrund seiner hohen Strahlungsresistenz hat dieses Material ein erhebliches Potenzial für Anwendungen in Strahlkontrollsystemen an Schwerionenbeschleunigeranlagen.

Giersch Award for Maxim Saifulin

Dr. Maxim Saifulin was honored with the Giersch Foundation's Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis 2024. He received the prize for his work “Fast scintillating ZnO ceramics for relativistic heavy-ion beam diagnostics“. This research was a collaborative project between the Beam Diagnostic and Materials Research departments focusing on the development of an ultrafast ceramic detector for ionization radiation based on zinc oxide nanocrystals. Due to its high radiation resistance, this material holds considerable potential for applications in beam control systems at heavy ion accelerator facilities.