Constructing an Ionic diode using Solid Supported Lipid bilayers: A Proposal

Ionic-type transistors are important devices for precise chemical control and biosensing applications. Previous work by Tybrandt et al. has demonstrated a novel approach to constructing an ionic transistor using conducting polymers poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and quarternized- polyvinyl benzyl chloride (q-PVBC). This approach could be combined with the 3D stamp method of generating concentration gradients in supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) as shown by Liu et al. to create a charged lipid-based ionic polar junction transistor. An electric potential applied across the SLB would drive charged lipids towards the opposite electrode, thus generating current flow across the SLB. Incorporation of a charged-lipid functionalized PEDOT derivative as demonstrated by Johansson et al. would allow a longer period of current flow before charge carriers are depleted. Such a device could offer novel approaches to biosensing