Simulation study on the translocation of diblock copolymerAnBn through interacting nanopores

Abstract

Translocation of diblock copolymer A_nB_n through an interacting nanopore is studied using a dynamic Monte Carlo method on a simple three-dimensional cubic lattice. The probabilities and translocation times of two translocation orientations of copolymer, orientation A with block A translocating first and orientation B with block B first, are mainly dependent on the segment–pore interactions ε_A and ε_B. We find that both the probability and the translocation time are larger for the orientation with stronger attraction. The dynamic behaviors of copolymer translocation at different ε_A and ε_B can be explained based on the free energy landscapes of homopolymer at different polymer–pore interaction. The results reveal a complicated free energy landscape for copolymer translocation.