Spontaneous DNA translocation through a van der Waals heterostructure nanopore for single-molecule detection. Issue 20 (10th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yang; Deng, Ye; Yang, Yanmei; Qu, Yuanyuan; Zhang, Chao; Li, Yong-Qiang; Zhao, Mingwen; Li, Weifeng
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale advances. Volume 3:Issue 20(2021)
• Page Start: 5941
• Page End: 5947
• Publication Date: 2021-09-10
• Subjects: 620.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d1na00476j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-0230

Abstract

Abstract : Single-stranded DNA can spontaneously translocate through a nanopore in a BC3 /C3 N van der Waals heterostructure, which might be used for single-molecule detection and sequencing. Abstract : Solid-state nanopore detection and sequencing of a single molecule offers a new paradigm because of its several well-recognized features such as long reads, high throughput, high precision and direct analyses. However, several key technical challenges are yet to be addressed, especially the abilities to control the speed and direct the translocation of the target molecules. In this work, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we found a spontaneous translocation of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) through a van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure nanopore formed by stacking two graphenic materials, namely those of BC3 and C3 N. Our results showed that, without using an external stimulus, ssDNA can be spontaneously transported through such a vdW nanopore from its BC3 side to its C3 N side, with the C3 N surface demonstrating a stronger capability than the BC3 surface to attract DNA bases. Thus, the distinct binding strengths of BC3 and C3 N were concluded to drive the ssDNA translocation. The results indicated the vdW forces playing a leading role during the translocation process. Our simulations also showed, at the edges of the nanopore, a clear energy barrier for nucleotides, resulting in a translocation speed slowed to a value of 0.2 μs per base, i.e., twice as slow as that indicated for the latest published methods. The present findings provide a new architecture for biomolecule detection and sequencing, which may be considered some of the most important functions of nanomaterials in biological and chemical analyses.