Numerical Modeling of Electroosmotic Nanoflows with Overlapped Electric Double Layer

In the present paper a new model is proposed for electric double layer (EDL) overlapped in nanochannels. The model aimed to obtain a deeper insight of transport phenomena in nanoscale. Two-dimensional Nernst and ionic conservation equations are used to obtain electroosmotic potential distribution in flow field. In the proposed study, transport equations for flow, ionic concentration and electroosmotic potential are solved numerically via finite volume method. Moreover, DebyeHückle approximation and symmetry condition, which limit the application, are avoided. Thus, the present model is suitable for prediction of electroosmotic flows through nanochannels as well as complicated asymmetric geometries with large nonuniform zeta potential distribution. For homogeneous zeta potential distribution, it has been shown that by reduction of channels height to values comparable with EDL thickness, Poisson–Boltzmann model produces inaccurate results and must be avoided. Furthermore, for overlapped electric double layer in nanochannels with heterogeneous zeta potential distribution it has been found that the present model returns modified ionic concentration and electroosmotic potential distribution compare to previous EDL overlapped models due to completely 2D solution of ionic concentration distribution. Finally, velocity profiles in EDL overlapped nanochannels are investigated and it has been showed that for pure electroosmotic flow the velocity profile deviates from the plug-like profile towards a parabolic profile. In addition, it has been shown that the modified model predicts lower velocity in comparison with previous EDL models.