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Fluid flow in carbon nanotubes and nanopipes

Nature Nanotechnology volume 2, pages 87–94 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Nanoscale carbon tubes and pipes can be readily fabricated using self-assembly techniques and they have useful electrical, optical and mechanical properties. The transport of liquids along their central pores is now of considerable interest both for testing classical theories of fluid flow at the nanoscale and for potential nanofluidic device applications. In this review we consider evidence for novel fluid flow in carbon nanotubes and pipes that approaches frictionless transport. Methods for controlling such flow and for creating functional device architectures are described and possible applications are discussed.

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Figure 1: Scanning electron microscope images of carbon nanopipes produced by the authors using standard chemical vapour deposition.
Figure 2
Figure 3: Imbibition of decane in a (7,7) carbon nanotube (diameter = 0.951 nm).
Figure 4: Carbon nanotube arrays and membranes.
Figure 5: ESEM images of the dynamic behaviour of a water plug in a carbon nanopipe.
Figure 6: Interfacing microfluidics with nanofluidics.

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Acknowledgements

M. Whitby acknowledges support from the EPSRC through a Doctoral Training Award and thanks F. Barclay and T. Cotter at RGB Research for helpful discussions. The authors are members of the EU network Inside POReS.

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  1. Chemistry Department, Imperial College, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK

    M. Whitby & N. Quirke

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Whitby, M., Quirke, N. Fluid flow in carbon nanotubes and nanopipes. Nature Nanotech 2, 87–94 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2006.175

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