Graphenenanoribbon-guided fluid channel: a fast transporter of nanofluids

Abstract

In this work, we present a conceptual design of nanofluid channels using graphene sheets as the container and nanoribbons as flow guiders. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that water molecules confined in such nanochannels can be well guided by the nanoribbons and form a regular shaped water stream. The viscosity of water transported along such nanochannels is found to be orders of magnitude lower than that of bulk water. Several unconventional structural and flow characteristics are revealed to be responsible for the fast transport phenomenon comparable to that in carbon nanotubes. The proposed nanoribbon-guided fluid channel is promising for use in next-generation integrated material systems for transporting fluids at high volumetric flow rates with considerably low driving forces.