Ionic liquid prolongs DNA translocation through graphene nanopores

Abstract

The Lab-on-a-chip technology based on electrophoresis via nanopores is advancing at a fast pace to achieve low cost, fast, and reliable genomic sequencing. However, such a promising technique for genome sequencing is challenged by the uncontrolled faster DNA translocation speed and low signal to noise ratio. In this study, we have performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effect of ionic liquid BMIM-Cl on dsDNA translocation through a nanopore grafted in a single layer of graphene. The presence of BMIM-Cl enhances DNA translocation time compared to the conventional KCl electrolyte solution. The study is capable of capturing the decelerating effect caused by ionic liquids. However, such a system has reduced ionic currents due to the low mobility of BMIM-Cl. The open pore current study demonstrated a pronounced effect of access resistance in such systems.