Nano watermill driven by the revolving charge [article]

Xiaoyan Zhou, Jianlong Kou, Xuechuan Nie, Fengmin Wu, Yang Liu and Hangjun Lu
2015 arXiv   pre-print
Using molecular dynamics simulations, we propose a novel nanoscale watermill for unidirectional transport of water molecules through a curved single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT). In this nanoscale system, a revolving charge is introduced to drive water chain confined inside the SWNT, which is served as nano waterwheel and nano engine. A resonance-like phenomenon is found that the revolving frequency of the charge plays a key role in pumping water chain. The water flux across the SWNT increases
more » ... with respect to the revolving frequency of the external charge and reaches the maximum when the frequency is 4 THz. Correspondingly, the number of the hydrogen bonds of water chain inside the SWNT decreases dramatically with the frequency ranging from 4 THz to 25 THz. The mechanism behind the resonant phenomenon has been investigated systematically. Our findings are helpful for designing nanoscale fluidic devices and energy converters.
arXiv:1502.03832v1 fatcat:pnt26qflb5gm5apsf7vqg2fgfm