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Full-Text Articles in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Transport Of Water And Ions Through Single-Walled Armchair Carbon Nanotubes: A Molecular Dynamics Study, Michelle Patricia Aranha
Transport Of Water And Ions Through Single-Walled Armchair Carbon Nanotubes: A Molecular Dynamics Study, Michelle Patricia Aranha
Doctoral Dissertations
The narrow hydrophobic interior of a carbon nanotube (CNT) poses a barrier to the transport of water and ions, and yet, unexpectedly, numerous experimental and simulation studies have confirmed fast water transport rates comparable to those seen in biological aquaporin channels. These outstanding features of high water permeability and high solute rejection of even dissolved ions that would typically require a lot of energy for separation in commercial processes makes carbon nanotubes an exciting candidate for desalination membranes. Extending ion exclusion beyond simple mechanical sieving by the inclusion of electrostatics via added functionality to the nanotube bears promise to not …
Modeling Of Nanoscale Transport In Mesoporous Membranes, Ashutosh Rathi
Modeling Of Nanoscale Transport In Mesoporous Membranes, Ashutosh Rathi
Doctoral Dissertations
Mesoporous membranes with pore sizes in the range 2-50 nm provide an energy efficient alternative for separation of mixtures such as CO2 from stack effluents and volatile organic compounds (VOC) from air. Transport mechanisms such as capillary condensation, Knudsen diffusion and surface adsorption help in enrichment of a more condensable component based on the bulk mixture thermodynamics, surface chemistry and geometry of the mesopores. Despite the progress in synthesis techniques, design of better mesoporous materials for targeted separations is still a challenge due to the absence of clear design rules. Modeling techniques can be used to quantify the relevant …
Structure And Energetics Of Nanoparticles And Ionomer Films In Fuel Cell Catalyst Layers, Qianping He
Structure And Energetics Of Nanoparticles And Ionomer Films In Fuel Cell Catalyst Layers, Qianping He
Doctoral Dissertations
Improving the durability and utilization efficiency of the platinum-on-carbon (Pt/C) catalyst is of vital importance to the commercialization of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). This body of work provides molecular level insights to aid the fulfillment of this goal. Chapter 1 describes the use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in an effort to understand the Pt/C degradation issue from the nano-adhesion point of view. The roles of catalyst nanoparticle size, shape, Pt/C surface oxidation and the extent of ionomer film hydration are investigated to study their effects on nano-particle adhesion. It is found that the adhesion force strengthens …