A Simple Non‐Gassing, Direct Current, Electro‐Osmotic Pump: Carbon Paper/Ceramic Frit/Carbon Paper

Abstract

AbstractWe report the simplest of the small, non‐gassing, low‐voltage, direct‐current, electro‐osmotic pumps, providing enough flow for the delivery of drugs. It consists merely of a ceramic frit sandwiched between two plasma‐treated carbon paper electrodes; the plasma treatment adds electro‐oxidizable hydroquinone and electro‐reducible quinone surface functions. Protons released upon the electro‐oxidation of the hydroquinone surface functions move concertedly in the applied electric field at the ceramic membrane water interface and by dragging bulk water, causing water to flow at a rate of 10 μL cm−2 min−1 at an applied potential of 1 V across a 2 mm‐thick membrane. Following plasma treatment of the carbon paper for 45 min, the flow persists for 18 h, in which 10 mL cm−2 of water is pumped.