  Ultrathin membranes have drawn much attention due to their unprecedented
spatial resolution for DNA nanopore sequencing. However, the high translocation
velocity (3000-50000 nt/ms) of DNA molecules moving across such membranes
limits their usability. To this end, we have introduced a viscosity gradient
system based on room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) to control the dynamics
of DNA translocation through a nanometer-size pore fabricated in an atomically
thin MoS2 membrane. This allows us for the first time to statistically identify
all four types of nucleotides with solid state nanopores. Nucleotides are
identified according to the current signatures recorded during their transient
residence in the narrow orifice of the atomically thin MoS2 nanopore. In this
novel architecture that exploits high viscosity of RTIL, we demonstrate
single-nucleotide translocation velocity that is an optimal speed (1-50 nt/ms)
for DNA sequencing, while keeping the signal to noise ratio (SNR) higher than
10. Our findings pave the way for future low-cost and rapid DNA sequencing
using solid-state nanopores.
