Highly sensitive methods for electroanalytical chemistry based on nanotubule membranes.

Two new methods of electroanalysis are described. These methods are based on membranes containing monodisperse Au nanotubules with inside diameters approaching molecular dimensions. In one method, the analyte species is detected by measuring the change in trans-membrane current when the analyte is added to the nanotubule-based cell. The second method entails the use of a concentration cell based on the nanotubule membrane. In this case, the change in membrane potential is used to detect the analyte. Detection limits as low as 10(-11) M have been achieved. Hence, these methods compete with even the most sensitive of modern analytical methodologies. In addition, excellent molecular-sized-based selectivity is observed.