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Experimental Observation of Single-File Water Filling of Thin Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Down to Chiral Index (5,3)

Sofie Cambré, Bob Schoeters, Sten Luyckx, Etienne Goovaerts, and Wim Wenseleers
Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 207401 – Published 17 May 2010
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Abstract

Single-file transport of water into carbon nanotubes is experimentally demonstrated for the first time through the splitting of the radial breathing mode (RBM) vibration in Raman spectra of bile salt solubilized tubes when both empty (closed) and water-filled (open-ended) tubes are present. D2O filling is observed for a wide range of diameters, d, down to very thin tubes [e.g., (5,3) tube, d=0.548nm] for which only a single water molecule fits in the cross section of the internal nanotube channel. The shift in RBM frequency upon filling is found to display a very complex dependence on nanotube diameter and chirality, in support of a different yet well-defined ordering and orientation of water molecules at room temperature. Large shifts of the electronic transitions are also observed.

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  • Received 24 December 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.207401

©2010 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Water takes its place in line

Published 21 May 2010

Optical spectroscopy may be able to detect the narrowest carbon nanotube that water can fill.

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Authors & Affiliations

Sofie Cambré, Bob Schoeters, Sten Luyckx, Etienne Goovaerts, and Wim Wenseleers*

  • Physics Department, University of Antwerp (Campus Drie Eiken), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium

  • *Wim.Wenseleers@ua.ac.be

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Issue

Vol. 104, Iss. 20 — 21 May 2010

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