Water-filled carbon nanotubes: A novel system to study multiphase fluid behavior in nanoscale confinement

Professor Constantin Megaridis
Dept of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
University of Illinois at Chicago

Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2004
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Place: Engineering II Room 3361

ABSTRACT

The dynamic transport of fluids in nanochannels is receiving increased attention not only because of its relevance to fundamental questions regarding fluid behavior near or below the continuum limit, but also because of its potential implications in technological applications of the future. An experimental investigation is presented on the dynamic characteristics of aqueous multiphase fluids contained in multiwall carbon nanotubes. Thermal experiments with nanometer resolution are conducted in the high vacuum of a transmission electron microscope using electron irradiation as a means of heating the fluid contents of individual nanotubes. Video sequences demonstrate the capability to transfer liquid along the carbon nanotube interior. Some aspects of wetting at these ultra-fine length scales are also discussed. A theoretical model considering intermolecular interactions and thermally-driven diffusion is presented, and some comparisons with experiments are attempted. This research demonstrates the potential of incorporating carbon nanotubes in future nanofluidic devices.