Nanoparticle traffic on helical tracks: thermophoretic mass transport through carbon nanotubes.
Using molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate and quantify thermophoretic motion of solid gold nanoparticles inside carbon nanotubes subject to wall temperature gradients ranging from 0.4 to 25 K/nm. For temperature gradients below 1 K/nm, we find that the particles move "on tracks" in a predictable fashion as they follow unique helical orbits depending on the geometry of the carbon nanotubes. These findings markedly advance our knowledge of mass transport mechanisms relevant to nanoscale applications.
Schoen
Philipp A E
PA
Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland. philipp.schoen@ethz.ch
Walther
Jens H
JH
Arcidiacono
Salvatore
S
Poulikakos
Dimos
D
Koumoutsakos
Petros
P
D003198:Computer Simulation; D004058:Diffusion; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009038:Motion; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D013816:Thermodynamics
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon