Abstract
Micromixing is an important prerequisite for the rapid reaction, analysis and detection of a lab-on-a-chip. To study the effects of non-Newtonian power-law fluids on micromixing, a flow in a parallel flat microchannel with heterogeneous zeta potential along the channel walls was numerically simulated employing the finite element method. Results show that a difference in shear-dependent viscosity affects electrokinetic phenomena and the mixing efficiency. Shear-thinning/shear-thickening characteristics of fluids tend to enhance/weaken electrokinetic phenomena. With a decrease in the fluid behavior index, a more homogeneous solution is obtained. Electroosmotic micromixing was found to be more practical and efficient for pseudoplastic fluids than for Newtonian and dilatant fluids. The mixing performance can be improved by adjusting the applied electric field and zeta potential. Pseudoplastic fluids are more sensitive than Newtonian and dilatant fluids to the parameters.
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