Ultrafast transport in nanotubes and nanosheets

Abstract

One of the most fascinating properties of nanotubes (NTs) and nanosheets is their smooth surfaces that offer essentially resistance-free transport of small molecules in the form of gases, vapors, and liquids. For example, it has been shown on multiple occasions that the transport through a NT is faster than if there were no material there at all. This super transport can be visualized by holding a garden hose but delivering as much water as a fire hose 10 times its size. This offers innumerable opportunities in applications such as efficient desalination, carbon capture, drug delivery, and energy delivery that require fast transport of small molecules (see Figure 11.1). The research journey so far has included alternating steps in theoretical predictions and experimental verification but has yet translated to industrial-scale applications.