Massive radius-dependent flow slippage in carbon nanotubes

Measurements and simulations have found that water moves through carbon nanotubes at exceptionally high rates owing to nearly frictionless interfaces. These observations have stimulated interest in nanotube-based membranes for applications including desalination, nano-filtration and energy harvesting, yet the exact mechanisms of water transport inside the nanotubes and at the water–carbon interface continue to be debated because existing theories do not provide a satisfactory explanation for the limited number of experimental results available so far.