New SubmissionElectronic screening of the friction acting on ions and water molecules in narrowcarbon nanotubes

Li et al. have observed an increase in the flow rate, resulting from osmotic pressure, of protons

and water molecules in nanometer scale diameter metallic carbon nanotubes compared to that in

semiconducting carbon nanotubes. The flow rate of potassium ions, however, under an applied

electric field is almost the same in metallic and semiconducting nanotubes. We propose a simple

physical picture to understand these experimental results by examining the effects of screening by

conduction electrons in electrically conducting carbon nanotubes on the friction experienced by

protons, water molecules, and ions flowing through the nanotube.