Electrolyte solution transport in electropolar nanotubes

Abstract

Electrolyte transport in nanochannels plays an important role in a number of emerging areas. Using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations, the fundamental transport behavior of an electrolyte/water solution in a confined model nanoenvironment is systematically investigated by varying the nanochannel dimension, solid phase, electrolyte phase, ion concentration and transport rate. It is found that the shear resistance encountered by the nanofluid strongly depends on these material/system parameters; furthermore, several effects are coupled. The mechanisms of the nanofluidic transport characteristics are explained by considering the unique molecular/ion structure formed inside the nanochannel. The lower shear resistance observed in some of the systems studies could be beneficial for nanoconductors, while the higher shear resistance (or higher effective viscosity) observed in other systems might enhance the performance of energy dissipation devices.

A conceptual thermal actuation system driven by interface tension of nanofluids

“…As alternative solid and liquid phases, silica nanotube and NaCl/water solution are also chosen, whose force fields as well as the interaction with water molecules are described in similar fashion, ref. 22.…”

Effects of addition of potassium chloride and ethylene glycol on nanofluidic behaviors

“…In the rest of the nanopores, the confined liquid does not come out even when the pressure is removed. The hysteresis of the sorption isotherm curves may be related to the difficulty in the formation of vapor phase, which must fill the empty nanopores to maintain the thermodynamic equilibrium [30,31]; and/or caused by the ''column resistance'' to the liquid molecules sliding along the solid wall [32]. Recent experiments indicate that liquid defiltration is an endothermic process [33,34], because of the local entropy change.…”

An electroactuation system based on nanofluids

“…When other liquid and solid phases are used, the relevant force field parameters are adjusted accordingly. 8 We let the electric field to be parallel to the nanopore wall, which may has more influence on the reduction in surface tension in comparison to a normal field. 9 The magnitude of electric field varies from 10 −2 V / Å Ͻ E Ͻ 0.4 V / Å, which is typical for ion channels and membranes.…”

“…3 show that, in general, a smaller CNT diameter is more welcome for enhancing the energy density, power density, and efficiency, thanks to the higher surface-to-volume ratio and stronger interfacial action between carbon and water molecules. Nevertheless, it is cautioned that if the CNT is small, the infiltrated water molecules may be constrained in a single-file 8 and that reduces the system performance. When other parameters are The CNT can be replaced by other nanochannels, for example, a silica nanotube ͑SNT͒ with diameter 24.56 Å that matches with that of CNT ͑18, 18͒ and with other conditions fixed.…”

“…When other parameters are The CNT can be replaced by other nanochannels, for example, a silica nanotube ͑SNT͒ with diameter 24.56 Å that matches with that of CNT ͑18, 18͒ and with other conditions fixed. Although the interaction between SNT and water is stronger, 8 SNT is considerably heavier than CNT and thus having lower energy and power densities. When the water phase is replaced by 2.0 mol/l aqueous solution of sodium chloride ͑NaCl͒, for the same ͑18,18͒ CNT system, the solidliquid interaction becomes stronger, 8 yet the mass is not significantly increased.…”