Effect of electric field on water diffusion in carbon nanotubes.

We investigate the diffusion and structure of TIP4P/2005 water confined in carbon nanotubes under the effect of electric field. For nanotubes with distinct diameters we vary the intensity and the direction of the electric field. We show that the nanotube diameter, the field intensity and the relative direction between field and tube axis change the water diffusion. For the (9,9) nanotube, the field along the tube axis melts the water structure increasing the water mobility. Our results suggest the use of electric field as a facilitator for filtration processes.