Electric fields can control the transport of water in carbon nanotubes

Ritos, Konstantinos and Borg, Matthew K. and Mottram, Nigel J. and Reese, Jason M. (2016) Electric fields can control the transport of water in carbon nanotubes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences, 374 (2060). 20150025. ISSN 1471-2962

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    Abstract

    The properties of water confined inside nanotubes are of considerable scientific and technological interest. We use molecular dynamics to investigate the structure and average orientation of water flowing within a carbon nanotube. We find that water exhibits biaxial paranematic liquid crystal ordering both within the nanotube and close to its ends. This preferred molecular ordering is enhanced when an axial electric field is applied, affecting the water flow rate through the nanotube. A spatially patterned electric field can minimize nanotube entrance effects and significantly increase the flow rate.

    Creators(s): Ritos, Konstantinos ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6334-6680, Borg, Matthew K., Mottram, Nigel J. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7265-0059 and Reese, Jason M. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5188-1627;
    Item type:Article
    ID code:55269
    Keywords:molecular dynamics, carbon nanotubes, electric fields, nanofluidics, liquid crystals, water transport, Mechanical engineering and machinery, Mechanical Engineering
    Subjects:Technology > Mechanical engineering and machinery
    Department:Faculty of Engineering > Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
    Faculty of Science > Mathematics and Statistics
    Technology and Innovation Centre > Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:07 Jan 2016 11:16
    Last modified:20 Jan 2021 23:47
    Related URLs:
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/55269
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