We utilize molecular dynamics simulations to study the effect of noncylindrical shapes of a nanochannel (which are inspired from the shape of real biological water nanochannels) on the permeation of single-file water molecules across the nanochannel. Compared with the cylindrical shape that has been tremendously adopted in the literature, the noncylindrical shapes play a crucial role in enhancing water permeation. Remarkably, the maximal enhancement ratio reaches a value of 6.28 (enhancement behavior). Meanwhile, the enhancement becomes saturated when the volume of the noncylindrical shape continues to increase (saturation behavior). The analysis of average diffusivity of water molecules helps to reveal the mechanism underlying the two behaviors whereas Poiseuille's law fails to explain them. These results pave a way for designing high-flow nanochannels and provide insight into water permeation across biological water nanochannels.

• Received 13 March 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.88.014104