Electric fields can control the transport of water in carbon nanotubes

Konstantinos Ritos; Matthew K. Borg; Nigel J. Mottram; Jason M. Reese

doi:10.1098/rsta.2015.0025

Electric fields can control the transport of water in carbon nanotubes

Konstantinos Ritos, Matthew K. Borg, Nigel J. Mottram, Jason M. Reese

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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.

Original language	English
Article number	20150025
Number of pages	19
Journal	Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences
Volume	374
Issue number	2060
Early online date	28 Dec 2015
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2015.0025
Publication status	Published - 1 Feb 2016

Keywords

molecular dynamics
carbon nanotubes
electric fields
nanofluidics
liquid crystals
water transport

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10.1098/rsta.2015.0025Licence: CC BY 4.0

Ritos-etal-PTA-2015-Electric-fields-can-control-the-transport-of-waterFinal published version, 1.28 MBLicence: CC BY 4.0

Cite this

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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.",

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AU - Ritos, Konstantinos

AU - Borg, Matthew K.

AU - Mottram, Nigel J.

AU - Reese, Jason M.

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KW - molecular dynamics

KW - carbon nanotubes

KW - electric fields

KW - nanofluidics

KW - liquid crystals

KW - water transport

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DO - 10.1098/rsta.2015.0025

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JF - Proceedings A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences

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ER -

Electric fields can control the transport of water in carbon nanotubes

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Nigel Mottram

Konstantinos Ritos

Non-Equilibrium Fluid Dynamics for Micro/Nano Engineering Systems | Ritos, Konstantinos

Supporting data for "Electric fields can control the transport of water in carbon nanotubes"

ARCHIE-WeSt (UOSHPC)

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Electric fields can control the transport of water in carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Keywords

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Nigel Mottram

Konstantinos Ritos

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Non-Equilibrium Fluid Dynamics for Micro/Nano Engineering Systems | Ritos, Konstantinos

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Supporting data for "Electric fields can control the transport of water in carbon nanotubes"

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ARCHIE-WeSt (UOSHPC)

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