title: Electric fields can control the transport of water in carbon nanotubes.
abstract: The properties of water confined inside nanotubes are of considerable scientific and technological interest. We use molecular dynamics to investigate the structure and average orientation of water flowing within a carbon nanotube. We find that water exhibits biaxial paranematic liquid crystal ordering both within the nanotube and close to its ends. This preferred molecular ordering is enhanced when an axial electric field is applied, affecting the water flow rate through the nanotube. A spatially patterned electric field can minimize nanotube entrance effects and significantly increase the flow rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK konstantinos.ritos@strath.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ritos
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Borg
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK.
authors.forename: Nigel J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Mottram
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, UK.
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5188-1627
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Reese
keywords: carbon nanotubes; electric fields; liquid crystals; molecular dynamics; nanofluidics; water transport