Uptake and withdrawal of droplets from carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We give an account of recent studies of droplet uptake and withdrawal from carbon nanotubes using simple theoretical arguments and molecular dynamics simulations. Firstly, the thermodynamics of droplet uptake and release is considered and tested via simulation. We show that the Laplace pressure acting on a droplet assists capillary uptake, allowing sufficiently small non-wetting droplets to be absorbed. We then demonstrate how the uptake and release of droplets of non-wetting fluids can be exploited for the use of carbon nanotubes as nanopipettes. Finally, we extend the Lucas-Washburn model to deal with the dynamics of droplet capillary uptake, and again test this by comparison with molecular dynamics simulations.