Electronic screening of the friction acting on ions and water molecules in narrow carbon nanotubes.

Li et al. have observed a larger 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.