Preferential ion and water intake using charged carbon nanotubes

We demonstrate that carbon nanotubes can be used for water and ion separation (and subsequent encapsulation) from a salt solution. Three different electrostatic charge distributions on the nanotubes are considered. These different charge distribution patterns change the nanotube intake effectiveness and induce dissimilar effects on water and ion separation. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that when either spatially or temporally alternating charge distributions are applied, ion intake into the nanotubes is minimal. Thus, the charge distribution can either be maintained constant (for ion encapsulation) or varied (for water intake) in order to achieve different effects.