Fast Mass Transport Through Sub-2-Nanometer Carbon Nanotubes

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1126298
• Publication Date: 2006-05-18T21:22:41Z
• Authors: Jason K. Holt; Hyung Gyu Park; Yinmin Wang; Michael Stadermann; Alexander B. Arty...; Costas P. Grigoro...; Aleksandr Noy; Olgica Bakajin
• Keywords: Knudsen diffusion; Nanometre

We report gas and water flow measurements through microfabricated membranes in which aligned carbon nanotubes with diameters of less than 2 nanometers serve as pores. The measured exceeds predictions the Knudsen diffusion model by more an order magnitude. values calculated from continuum hydrodynamics models three orders magnitude is comparable to rates extrapolated molecular dynamics simulations. permeabilities these nanotube-based are several higher those commercial polycarbonate membranes, despite having pore sizes smaller. These enable fundamental studies mass transport confined environments, well energy-efficient nanoscale filtration.