title: Water transport control in carbon nanotube arrays.
abstract: Based on a recent scaling law of the water mobility under nanoconfined conditions, we envision novel strategies for precise modulation of water diffusion within membranes made of carbon nanotube arrays (CNAs). In a first approach, the water diffusion coefficient D may be tuned by finely controlling the size distribution of the pore size. In the second approach, D can be varied at will by means of externally induced electrostatic fields. Starting from the latter strategy, switchable molecular sieves are proposed, where membranes are properly designed with sieving and permeation features that can be dynamically activated/deactivated. Areas where a precise control of water transport properties is beneficial range from energy and environmental engineering up to nanomedicine.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Energia, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fasano
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Energia, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Eliodoro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chiavazzo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Energia, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Asinari
keywords: Carbon mats; Carbon nanotubes; Membranes; Molecular sieves; Nanoconfinement; Nanotube arrays; Supercooled water; Water diffusion