Microscopic dynamics of flow in molecularly narrow pores

Abstract

Flow of fluids confined in molecularly narrow pores is studied by molecular dynamics. Strong density variations across the pore render the usual dependence of the local viscosity on local density inappropriate. At separations greater than four molecular diameters flow can be described by a simple redefinition of local viscosity. In narrower pores a dramatic increase of effective viscosities is observed and is due to the inability of fluid layers to undergo the gliding motion of planar flow. This effect is partially responsible for the strong viscosity increases observed experimentally in thin films that still maintain their fluidity.