Boron Nitride Nanotubes Selectively Permeable to Cations or Anions

Abstract

Biological ion channels in membranes are selectively permeable to specific ionic species. They maintain the resting membrane potential, generate propagated action potentials, and control a wide variety of cell functions. Here it is demonstrated theoretically that boron nitride nanotubes have the ability to carry out some of the important functions of biological ion channels. Boron nitride nanotubes with radii of 4.83 and 5.52 A embedded in a silicon nitride membrane are selectively permeable to cations and anions, respectively. They broadly mimic some of the permeation characteristics of gramicidin and chloride channels. Using distributional molecular dynamics, which is a combination of molecular and stochastic dynamics simulations, the properties of these engineered nanotubes are characterized, such as the free energy encountered by charged particles, the water-ion structure within the pore, and the current-voltage and current-concentration profiles. These engineered nanotubes have potential applications as sensitive biosensors, antibiotics, or filtration devices.

Boron Nitride Nanotubes and Nanosheets

“…126 The tubes with radii of 4.83 and 5.52 Å embedded in a silicon nitride membrane were selectively permeable to cations and anions, respectively. The tubes mimic some of the permeation characteristics of gramicidin and chloride channels.…”

Synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes from unprocessed colemanite

“…In recent studies, it has been indicated that the hydrogen storage capacity of BNNTs is two times greater than that of CNTs [6]. It has been theoretically demonstrated that BNNTs can capture ions selectively creating superhydrophobic surfaces [7–8]. Since hexagonal boron nitrides (h-BNs) have a sp 2 hybridization, the BNNTs can interact with polymers possessing aromatic rings via π-π interaction.…”

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Paracetamol Drug Adsorption on Boron Nitride Nanotube: Effects of Temperature, Nanotube Length, Diameter, and Chirality

“…[17][18][19] In comparison to CNTs, BNNTs exhibit improved electronic and mechanical properties, [20] high resistance to oxidation at high temperatures, high chemical stability, [21] and superior water permeation properties. [22] BNNTs show better biocompatibility than CNTs, too. [23,24] BNNTs have been confirmed to be integrally nontoxic for health and the environment due to their structural stability and chemical inertness.…”

“…CNTs have been widely explored for using in designing novel delivery platforms for medical applications due to their unique physical and chemical properties . In comparison to CNTs, BNNTs exhibit improved electronic and mechanical properties, high resistance to oxidation at high temperatures, high chemical stability, and superior water permeation properties . BNNTs show better biocompatibility than CNTs, too .…”