Simulation and experimental characterization of electroosmotic flow in surface modified channels

Published

July 1, 2006

Author(s)

S. Krishnamoorthy, J. Feng, A. C. Henry, Laurie E. Locascio, J. Hickman, S. Sundaram

Abstract

Covalent surface modification techniques, in particular surface oxidation procedures, have been employed as a mean to modify polymer microfluidic channels for the purpose of modulating microflow. The focus of this work is to experimentally and computationally characterize electroosmotic flow (EOF) to understand the impact of surface modifications and buffer pH on sample mixing and dispersion. The experimental results are used to calibrate and validate the simulation model that solves the Navier Stokes equation for fluid flow and Poisson equation to resolve external electric field. Experimental and simulated results are presented for hybrid microfluidic systems, consisting of both pristine polymer surfaces and chemically modified polymer surfaces. The results show that the selective surface modification induces hydrodynamic pressure gradient, leading to enhanced sample dispersion. The mass flow rate increases linearly with the level of oxidation. All channels (pristine, oxidized, and hybrid)showed an increasing EOF with increasing pH until the near neutral regime (7

Citation

Microfluidics and Nanofluidics

Volume

2

Issue

4

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

Electroosmosis, Polymer devices, Surface oxidation, Simulation, Dispersion

Citation

Krishnamoorthy, S. , Feng, J. , Henry, A. , Locascio, L. , Hickman, J. and Sundaram, S. (2006), Simulation and experimental characterization of electroosmotic flow in surface modified channels, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics (Accessed October 16, 2025)