Effects of cosolvents on the hydration of carbon nanotubes

Molecular dynamics simulations of a nonpolar single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) solvated in aqueous solutions of urea, methanol, and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) show clearly the effects of cosolvents on the hydration of the interior of the SWNT. The size of the SWNT was chosen to be small enough that water but not the cosolvent molecules can penetrate into its interior. Urea as a protein denaturant improves hydration of the interior of the SWNT, while the protein protectant TMAO dehydrates the SWNT. The interior of the SWNT is also dehydrated when methanol is added to the solution. The analysis of interaction energies of the water confined inside the SWNT pore shows that the stability of the confined water in the methanol and TMAO solutions mainly depends on electrostatic interactions. In contrast, both van der Waals and electrostatic interactions were shown to be important in stabilizing the confined water when the SWNT is immersed in the urea solution.