Effect of pore geometry on nanoconfined water transport behavior

Abstract

Abstract Different pore shapes correspond to different interaction strengths between pore surface and molecules, which will result in discrepancy of nanoconfined water transport capacity. In this article, complex nanoscale pore shapes are represented by ellipses, which possess an excellent shape‐variation physical property, that is, ellipses can gradually transition from circles to slit‐like cross‐sections by manipulating aspect ratio from 1 to maxima. Moreover, capturing water slip phenomenon and spatially variation of water viscosity, an analytical model for water transport capacity through elliptical nanopores is developed. Results show that (a) water slip effect plays a limited positive role at hydrophilic environment and a strong positive role at hydrophobic environment; (b) nanopores with more flat geometry feature will possess smaller enhance factor at hydrophilic environment; (c) spatially viscosity distribution is a negative factor when contact angle is lower than about 130° and turns to a positive factor when contact angle is higher than about 130°.