Thermal transpiration through single walled carbon nanotubes and graphene channels

Journal Article · Thu Nov 07 04:00:00 EST 2013 · Journal of Chemical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4828705· OSTI ID:22251530

Thekkethala, Joe Francis

Thermal transpiration through carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene channels is studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The system consists of two reservoirs connected by a CNT. It is observed that a flow is developed inside the CNT from the low temperature reservoir to the high temperature reservoir when the two reservoirs are maintained at different temperatures. The influence of channel size and temperature gradient on the mean velocity is analysed by varying the CNT diameter and the temperature of one of the reservoirs. Larger flow rate is observed in the smaller diameter CNTs showing an increase in the mean velocity with increase in the temperature gradient. For the flow developed inside the CNTs, slip boundaries occur and the slip length is calculated using the velocity profile. We examine the effect of fluid-wall interaction strength (ε{sub fw}), diffusivity (D), and viscosity of the fluid (μ) on the temperature induced fluid transport through the CNTs. Similar investigations are also carried out by replacing the CNT with a graphene channel. Results show that the mean velocity of the fluid atoms in the graphene channel is lower than that through the CNTs. This can be attributed to the higher degree of confinement observed in the CNTs.

• OSTI ID: 22251530
• Journal Information: Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Chemical Physics Journal Issue: 17 Vol. 139; ISSN JCPSA6; ISSN 0021-9606
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CARBON NANOTUBES
FLOW RATE
FLUIDS
GRAPHENE
INTERACTIONS
MOLECULAR DYNAMICS METHOD
SIMULATION
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
VELOCITY