Semiconductor p-n Junction Nanofluidic Channels for Light-driven Ion Transport

Artificial nanofluidic channels that achieve light-driven ion transport in biological systems based on photoelectric effect have attracted significant attention for signal transduction and light energy conversion. However, the light-responsive performance is limited by the charge separation efficiency on the surface of the channels. Herein, we introduce semiconductor p-n junctions into nanofluidic channels to enhance their light-driven ion transport. The p-n junction is formed by an n-type titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles layer on an electrochemically fabricated p-type polypyrrole (PPy) membrane. The light-induced charge separation at p-n junctions increases the surface charge density of the positively charged PPy membrane. Consequently, the light-driven ion current through the nanofluidic channels is enhanced from 79.6 to 111.9 nA by 40.6% when compared with a single-component p-type PPy membrane. The proof-of-concept demonstration of enhanced light-driven ion transport by semiconductor p-n junctions provides a route toward high-performance light-responsive nanofluidic channels, which demonstrates potential applications for light-controlled mass transport, signal transduction, and energy conversion.