Spontaneous nanoinjection with carbon nanotubes: a molecular dynamics simulation study

Abstract

Based on the interactions between the zinc finger protein (ZNF) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), we design a nanodevice for injecting ZNF spontaneously. The new injection device involves four essential components: a small-diameter SWCNT as a plunger, a large-diameter SWCNT as a tube as well as the nozzle and needle, ZNF and water solution. The injection behavior is demonstrated and analyzed using molecular dynamics simulations. The effects of the diameter, chirality and length of SWCNTs on the injection behavior are analyzed with the center of mass distance, the van der Waals interaction between ZNF and SWCNTs, the root-mean-square deviation of ZNF, and the radius of gyration for ZNF.