The motion of methanol through single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) has been observed using voltage clamp techniques. Methanol molecules were observed to block proton current through the SWNT. This pore-blocking current was found to be dependent on the applied voltage. The time that the methanol molecules spend traveling through the SWNT was found to be independent of applied voltage, as would be expected for a neutral molecule in an electric field. However, a minimum voltage, the threshold voltage, was found, below which no pore blocking was observed. The observation of a threshold voltage is in agreement with theoretical predictions, which indicated that the entry of methanol molecules into the SWNT would be strongly influenced by hydrogen bonding at the pore mouth. Our observations of methanol transport through SWNTs demonstrate the potential for SWNTs to facilitate the nanoscale motion of neutral molecules.

Motion of methanol through single-walled carbon nanotube nanopores

251st National Meeting (2016)

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