Dragging of polarizable nanodroplets by distantly solvated ions.
We show by molecular dynamics simulations that ions intercalated in carbon and boron-nitride nanotubes can be solvated at distance in polarizable nanodroplets adsorbed on their surfaces. When the ions are driven in the nanotubes by electric fields, the adsorbed droplets are dragged together with them. We illustrate this phenomenon by dragging assemblies of 20-10,000 water molecules by individual Na+ and Cl- ions. This ion-facilitated dragging could be applied in molecular delivery, separation, and desalination.
Wang
Boyang
B
Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA.
Král
Petr
P