Water flows mysteriously well through narrow carbon nanotubes, but now there’s an explanation: it’s all because of quantum friction
Water flows more easily through narrower carbon nanotubes than larger ones and we have struggled to explain why. Now, one team has an answer: it may all be due to quantum friction.
But carbon nanotubes don’t obey this rule. These are made of thin layers of graphite rolled into tubes just a few nanometres wide – and the narrower the diameter, the easier it is for water to flow through them.In addition, water flows with more ease through nanotubes with thinner walls – those made from fewer layers of graphite stacked on top of each other – regardless of nanotube diameter. Both phenomena have defied understanding, until now.
Similarly, for nanotubes with thicker walls, there are a greater number of electrons that can jump between layers to push and pull on the water, according to the team. This is why such nanotubes cause more quantum friction than thinner-walled ones.
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