《In-situ Fluid Experiments in Carbon Nanotubes》.pdf

Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 633 © 2001 Materials Research Society In-situ Fluid Experiments in Carbon Nanotubes 1 2* 2 Yury Gogotsi , Joseph A. Libera, Almila Güvenç Yazicioglu and 2 Constantine M. Megaridis 1Department of Materials Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607- 7022, USA ABSTRACT Closed-end multi-wall carbon nanotubes, which contain an encapsulated aqueous multi- phase fluid under high pressure, have been produced by hydrothermal synthesis. These nanotubes are leak-tight by virtue of holding the fluid at the high vacuum of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and can be used as a test platform for unique in-situ nanofluidic experiments in TEM. They form an experimental apparatus, which is at least two orders of magnitude smaller than the smallest capillaries used in fluidic experiments so far. Excellent wettability of the carbon tube walls by the liquid and a dynamic behavior similar to that in micro- capillaries demonstrates the possibility of use of nanoscale (100 nm) tubes in nanofluidic devices. However, complex interface behavior that can potentially create hurdles to fluid transport is also demonstrated herein. INTRODUCTION Carbon nanotubes (1) are among the most exciting new materials being investigated because of their great potential for use in new technologies and devices. In particular, multi-wall carbon nanotubes can be used as pipes in nanofluidic devices (2),(3). Nanotubes would provide cylindrical channels similar to pipes used in the macroscopic world. Also, interconnects between microfluidic chips or between a chip (e.g., drug delivery system) and the subject (e.g., a cell) can be en