Slip-Flow Regimes in Nanofluidics: A Universal Superexponential Model

Abstract

Many experiments have shown large flow enhancement ratios (up to 10) in carbon nanotubes (CNT) with diameter> 5nm. However, molecular dynamics simulations have never replicated these results maintaining a three-order-of-magnitude gap with measurements. Our study provides a generic model of slip flow in nanofluidics that fills this significant gap and sheds light on its origin. Compared to 140 literature cases, the model explains the entire range of experimental flow enhancements by finite variations of interfacial energies. The model provides insight into puzzling observations such as differences of CNTs and boron nitride nanotubes, the slip on low-contactangle surfaces and massive functionalization effects. This study could advance our understanding of nano-scale transport mechanisms and aid the design of tailored nanomembranes.