Environmental scanning electron microscopy study of water in carbon nanopipes

Abstract

The ability of the ESEM to condense and evaporate liquids has enabled the in situ dynamic study of condensation, evaporation and transport of water inside carbon nanotubes. It has been possible to see liquid menisci inside straight, CVD-fabricated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having disordered walls. From the measured contact angles, it is clear that these CNTs are hydrophilic. Complex meniscus shapes and slow liquid dynamics due to water confinement and strong interaction with tube walls have been observed.