Electrokinetic Transport in Micro-Nanofluidic Systems With Sudden-Expansion and Contraction Cross Sections

Abstract

In this study, electrokinetic transport in a micro-nanofluidic system is numerically investigated by solving the transient Poisson, Nernst-Planck, and Navier-Stokes equations simultaneously. The system considered is a nanochannel connected with two microchannels at its ends. Under various applied electric potential biases, the effect of concentration polarization on the fluid flow, induced pressure and electric current is examined. By comparing with the Donnan equilibrium condition and electroosmotic flow in microscale dimension, electric body force due to non-zero charge density is the mechanism for producing vortex flow and inducing positive pressure gradient in the anodic side of the system. The diffusive boundary layer thickness is reduced due to the stirring of the generated vortex flow and results in the over-limiting current when the applied electric potential bias is high.