Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026
06:39
Aerosol-assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition of Metal Oxide Structures: Zinc Oxide Rods
Published on: September 14, 2017
13.7K
Anomalous water expulsion from carbon-based rods at high humidity
Satish K Nune1, David B Lao1, David J Heldebrant1
1Energy &Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA.
Nature Nanotechnology
|June 14, 2016
Summary
Carbon-based rods exhibit unique water adsorption and desorption. These materials spontaneously expel adsorbed water above 50-80% relative humidity due to interfacial forces, a reversible process.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Inorganic materials typically follow three water adsorption-desorption mechanisms: chemisorption, simple adsorption, and condensation.
- All known materials show increased water adsorption with rising relative humidity.
- A novel water sorption behavior in carbon-based materials is investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the unique water adsorption-desorption mechanisms of carbon-based rods.
- To understand the role of interfacial forces and relative humidity in water expulsion.
- To explore the phenomenon of solvent cavitation in confined spaces.
Main Methods:
- Experimental observation of water adsorption and desorption on carbon-based rods.
- Analysis of water expulsion triggered by relative humidity thresholds.
- Investigation of interfacial forces and capillary forces in rod bundles.
- Characterization of solvent cavitation phenomenon.
Main Results:
- Carbon-based rods adsorb water at low humidity.
- Spontaneous and reversible water expulsion occurs above 50-80% relative humidity.
- Interfacial forces between confined rod surfaces drive water expulsion.
- Solvent cavitation, a surface-induced evaporation, releases condensed water vapor at high humidity.
Conclusions:
- Carbon-based rods demonstrate a novel, reversible water sorption mechanism distinct from traditional inorganic materials.
- Interfacial forces and confinement effects play a critical role in water adsorption and desorption.
- The study reveals solvent cavitation as a key phenomenon in confined water release, with implications for material design.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diversity of Archaea III
424
Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like...
424
01:24Carbonation Shrinkage
546
Atmospheric CO2 penetrates the concrete's pores and, in the presence of moisture, forms carbonic acid, which then reacts with calcium hydroxide in the hydrated cement, forming calcium carbonate. This process reduces the concrete's volume and is termed carbonation shrinkage.
The concrete's permeability is slightly reduced as calcium carbonate produced during the reaction fills its pores. Furthermore, its strength is slightly enhanced as the water released during the reaction...
The concrete's permeability is slightly reduced as calcium carbonate produced during the reaction fills its pores. Furthermore, its strength is slightly enhanced as the water released during the reaction...
546
01:26Regulation of Water Output
2.5K
The human body predominantly expels water through the urinary system. On average, an individual generates around 1.5 liters of urine each day. This amount can fluctuate based on how well a person is hydrated, but a critical minimum quantity of urine must be produced to ensure the body's proper functioning. Daily, the kidneys remove 600 to 1200 milliosmoles of dissolved substances, effectively excreting excess minerals and water-soluble toxins such as creatinine, urea, and uric acid from the...
2.5K
01:25Microbial Mats
6
Microbial communities forming biofilms and mats represent complex, spatially structured ecosystems where metabolic processes are stratified according to light, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. Biofilms are initial colonization stages, only a few millimeters thick, while mature microbial mats can reach centimeter-scale thickness and display intricate vertical organization. Their structural and functional heterogeneity allows microorganisms to occupy distinct ecological niches within a few...
6
01:29Disorder of Water Balance
2.7K
Water balance disorders are medical conditions that occur when there is a deviation from the body's water volume or osmolarity, disrupting normal homeostasis and leading todehydration, hypotonic hydration, hyperhydration, edema, or water intoxication.
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body loses fluids (particularly water).
Causes:
The major causes of dehydration include excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and diuresis.
Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms primarily include intense...
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body loses fluids (particularly water).
Causes:
The major causes of dehydration include excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and diuresis.
Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms primarily include intense...
2.7K
01:13Excess Pressure Inside a Drop and a Bubble
3.7K
The shape of a small drop of liquid can be considered spherical, neglecting the effect of gravity. This drop can further be considered as two equal hemispherical drops put together due to surface tension. The forces acting on the spherical drop are due to the pressure of the liquid inside the drop, the pressure due to air outside the drop, and the force due to the surface tension acting on the two hemispherical drops.
3.7K