Ion current rectification is highly reported in aqueous
electrochemical
systems and sensors but lacks exploration in organic systems due to
the additional complexity introduced by non-aqueous solvents. Herein,
a detailed study on ion current rectification with highly polar and
mildly polar aprotic organic solvents as a function of tetraethylammonium
tetrafluoroborate supporting electrolyte concentration is presented.
To explain our experimental results, we introduce a previously unreported
phenomenon: the formation of a double-junction diode within the nanopore
that arises due to a complex interplay between ion and solvent enrichment
effects. Finite element simulations are used to explore this phenomenon
and the subsequent effect on the rectifying behavior of conical quartz
nanopores.
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