Parametrical studies of electroosmotic transport characteristics in submicrometer channels

Spatially two-dimensional nonequilibrium mathematical model describing electroosmotic flow through a submicrometer channel with an electric charge fixed on the channel walls is presented. This system is governed by the hydrodynamic, electrostatic, and mass transport phenomena. The model is based on the coupled mass balances, Poisson, Navier-Stokes, and Nernst-Planck equations. Nonslip boundary conditions are employed. The effect of an imposed electric field on the system behavior is studied by means of a numerical analysis of the model equations. We have obtained the following findings. If the channel width is comparable to the thickness of the electric double layer, the system behaves as an ion-exchange membrane and the dependence of the electric current passing through the channel on the applied voltage is strongly nonlinear. In the case of negatively (positively) charged walls, a narrow region of very low conductivity (so-called ionic gate) is formed in the free electrolyte near the channel entry facing the anode (cathode) side. For a wide channel, the electric current is proportional to the applied voltage and the velocity of electrokinetic flow is linearly proportional to the electric field strength. Complex hydrodynamics (eddy formation and existence of ionic gates) is the most interesting characteristics of the studied system. Hence, current-voltage and velocity-voltage curves and the corresponding spatial distributions of the model variables at selected points are studied and described in detail.