Functionalized radio-track etched membranes (FRTEMs) are polymer films with nanopore channels perpendicular to their surface.  The nanopore channels are formed by heavy ion irradiation and chemical etching.  The heavy ion irradiation produces damage tracks in the form of broken bonds which become radicals.  These radical tracks are chemically etched to reveal nanopore channels with a uniform diameter that is proportional to the etching time.  After the etching, however, there are still radicals within the pores.  These remaining radicals can be reacted with different monomers, such as RCOOH or RCHNH₂, to impart chemical functionalization to the nanopore interior without blocking the pores. 

A thin gold or metallic layer can then be physically sputtered onto the FRTEMs to make an electrically conductive surface.  The metallic layer is thin enough, ~50 nm, that is does not completely cover the pores.  The thin metallic layer can function as an electrode for potentiometry.

... etc. for polyacrylic acid functionalized pores). They can be removed from the sample, rinsed, and placed in an electrochemical cell for potentiometric analysis.

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