Variation in geometry and electrical conductance properties of asymmetric track-etched single nanopores: How uniform are they?

In this paper, the transport property uniformity of single asymmetric pores in polyethylene terephthalate membranes was investigated. Two types of films, Hostaphan RN and Hostaphan RNK, were used. The foils were irradiated with either single or multiple (∼10⁸ cm⁻²) Au and Xe ions. Samples were UV-treated and etched in surfactant-doped 5 mol/L NaOH at 60 °C for 6 min and 30 s in order to obtain nanopores with bullet-shaped tips. The geometry of the nanopores was determined from SEM images of multi-pore membrane cross sections. The reproducibility of the electrical characteristics of individual nanopores with bullet-like tips in two different types of polyethylene terephthalate foils was studied. The relationship between electro-conductive properties of the asymmetric nanopores and the polymer morphology is discussed.