Not So Far, Not So Close: A Configurational Study of a Carbon Nanotube Bundle for Better Dielectric Phenomena

Abstract

Size of pores or spacing among nano-protrusions such as nanotubes on an electrode surface greatly affects diffusive, viscous, and dielectric phenomena of electrolyte through openings. In this study, a configurational study was conducted to examine the effect of spacing among the single-walled carbon nanotubes on dielectric and viscous phenomena. Behavior of a polar liquid, acetonitrile, was investigated by molecular simulations at two low densities. Results show that viscosity of the liquid is greatly enhanced by interaction with closely packed tubes' bundle. In conjunction with such increase in viscosity, relaxation of dipoles takes longer times inside such closed packed bundle. Most importantly, spacing among the tubes with diameter D should be at about D/2 in a direction for better dielectric phenomena.