Electroosmotic Flow of Power-Law Fluids in a Slit Microchannel

Abstract

Electroosmotic flow of power-law fluids in a slit channel is analyzed. The governing equations including the linearized Poisson–Boltzmann equation, the Cauchy momentum equation and the continuity equation are solved to seek analytical expressions for the shear stress, dynamic viscosity and velocity distributions. Specifically, exact solutions of the velocity distributions are explicitly found for several special values of the flow behavior index. Furthermore, with the implementation of an approximate scheme for the hyperbolic cosine function, approximate solutions of the velocity distributions are obtained. In addition, a mathematical expression for the average electroosmotic velocity is derived for large values of the dimensionless electrokinetic parameter, κH, in a fashion similar to the Smoluchowski equation. Hence, a generalized Smoluchowski velocity is introduced by taking into account contributions due to the finite thickness of the electric double layer and the flow behavior index of power-law fluids. Finally, calculations are performed to examine the effects of κH, flow behavior index, double layer thickness, and applied electric field on the shear stress, dynamic viscosity, velocity distribution, and average velocity/flow rate of the electroosmotic flow of power-law fluids.