Nanotube membrane
Encyclopedia
Nanotube membrane is either a single, open-ended nanotube
or a film composed of open-ended nanotubes that are oriented perpendicularly to the surface of an impermeable film matrix like the cells of a honeycomb
. 'Impermeable' is essential here to distinguish nanotube membrane with traditional, well known porous membranes. Fluids and gas molecules may pass through the membrane en masse.
Transport of polystyrene particles (60 and 100 nm diameter) through single-tube membranes (150 nm) was reported in 2000. Soon after, ensemble membranes consisting of multi-wall carbon nanotubes, were fabricated and studied.
It was shown that water can pass through the graphitic nanotube cores of the membrane at speeds several magnitudes greater than classical fluid dynamics would predict, both for multiwall tubes (inner diameter 7 nm) and double-wall tubes (inner diameter <2 nm). It was further demonstrated that the flow of water through carbon nanotube membranes (without filler matrix, thus flow on the outside surface of CNTs) can be controlled through the application of electrical current. Among many potential uses that nanotube membranes might one day be employed is the desalination
of water.
Carbon nanotube
Carbon nanotubes are allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure. Nanotubes have been constructed with length-to-diameter ratio of up to 132,000,000:1, significantly larger than for any other material...
or a film composed of open-ended nanotubes that are oriented perpendicularly to the surface of an impermeable film matrix like the cells of a honeycomb
Honeycomb
A honeycomb is a mass of hexagonal waxcells built by honey bees in their nests to contain their larvae and stores of honey and pollen.Beekeepers may remove the entire honeycomb to harvest honey...
. 'Impermeable' is essential here to distinguish nanotube membrane with traditional, well known porous membranes. Fluids and gas molecules may pass through the membrane en masse.
Transport of polystyrene particles (60 and 100 nm diameter) through single-tube membranes (150 nm) was reported in 2000. Soon after, ensemble membranes consisting of multi-wall carbon nanotubes, were fabricated and studied.
It was shown that water can pass through the graphitic nanotube cores of the membrane at speeds several magnitudes greater than classical fluid dynamics would predict, both for multiwall tubes (inner diameter 7 nm) and double-wall tubes (inner diameter <2 nm). It was further demonstrated that the flow of water through carbon nanotube membranes (without filler matrix, thus flow on the outside surface of CNTs) can be controlled through the application of electrical current. Among many potential uses that nanotube membranes might one day be employed is the desalination
Desalination
Desalination, desalinization, or desalinisation refers to any of several processes that remove some amount of salt and other minerals from saline water...
of water.
See also
- carbon nanotubeCarbon nanotubeCarbon nanotubes are allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure. Nanotubes have been constructed with length-to-diameter ratio of up to 132,000,000:1, significantly larger than for any other material...
- NanofiltrationNanofiltrationNanofiltration is a relatively recent membrane filtration process used most often with low total dissolved solids water such as surface water and fresh groundwater, with the purpose of softening and removal of disinfection by-product precursors such as natural organic matter and synthetic organic...
- NanofluidicsNanofluidicsNanofluidics is the study of the behavior, manipulation, and control of fluids that are confined to structures of nanometer characteristic dimensions...
- Potential applications of carbon nanotubesPotential applications of carbon nanotubesCarbon nanotubes, a type of fullerene, have potential in fields such as nanotechnology, electronics, optics, materials science, and architecture. Over the years new applications have taken advantage of their unique electrical properties, extraordinary strength, and efficiency in heat...