Can graphene bilayers be the membrane mimetic materials? "Ion channels" in graphene-based nanostructures

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of graphene bilayers to mimic biological ion channels, analyzing their physical mechanisms and limitations in reproducing membrane functions.

Contribution

It investigates the feasibility and mechanisms of using graphene-based structures to model ion channel functions in biomimetic membranes.

Findings

Graphene bilayers can simulate selective permeability of ion channels.

Limitations exist in fully replicating transport and sensing functions.

Physical mechanisms for selectivity are discussed.

Abstract

The prospects of application of graphene and related structures as the membrane mimetic materials, capable of reproducing several biomembrane functions up to the certain limit, are analyzed in the series of our papers. This paper considers the possibility of the ion channel function modeling using graphene and its derivatives. The physical mechanisms providing selective permeability for different membrane mimetic materials, as well as the limits of the adequate simulation of the transport, catalytic, sensing and electrogenic properties of the cell membrane ion channels using bilayered graphene-based structures are discussed.