Slip driven micro-pumping of binary system with a layer of non-conducting fluid under electrical double layer phenomenon

Abstract

In this study, we report the consequences of the fluid/wall slippage on the micro-pumping of an immiscible binary system constituted by conducting (non-Newtonian) and non-conducting (Newtonian) fluid pair through a microchannel. We consider power-law model to represent the constitutive behaviour of the non-Newtonian fluid. We explore the effect of the combined influences of the applied pressure gradient and electrical forcing on micro-pumping by analytical calculations considering a flat interface between the fluids. We highlight the alteration in underlying dynamics, mainly attributable to the rheology driven modification in viscous resistance in the field as modulated by the interfacial slip and electrical double layer effect. Also, we establish a phenomenal amplification in micro-pumping effect, as realised through an enhanced volumetric flow rate though the channel under combined forcings environment. We believe that the inferences obtained from this analysis may improve the design of various bio-microfluidic devises/systems, which are often used for the transportation of binary layers including one non-Newtonain fluid in the system.