Transport in polymer-gel composites: Theoretical methodology and response to an electric field

Details Transport in polymer-gel composites: Theoretical methodology and response to an electric field Transport in polymer-gel composites: Theoretical methodology and response to an electric field

2005-06-28

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0506721v2

J Fluid Mech. (2006) vol 551 pp 405--433

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

Scientific paper

10.1017/S0022112005008517

A theoretical model of electromigrative, diffusive and convectivetransport polymer-gel composites is presented. Bulk properties are derived from the standard electrokinetic model with an impenetrable charged sphere embedded in an electrolyte-saturated Brinkman medium. Because the microstructure can be carefully controlled, these materials are promising candidates for enhanced gel-electrophoresis, chemical sensing, drug delivery, and microfluidic pumping technologies. The methodology provides `exact' solutions for situations where perturbations from equilibrium are induced by gradients of electrostatic potential, concentration and pressure. While the volume fraction of the inclusions should be small, Maxwell's well-known theory of conduction suggests that the theory may also be accurate at moderate volume fractions. In this work, the model is used to compute ion fluxes, electrical current density, and convective flow induced by an applied electric field. The electric-field-induced (electro-osmotic) flow is a sensitive indicator of the inclusion zeta-potential and size, electrolyte concentration, and Darcy permeability of the gel, while the electrical conductivity increment is most often independent of the polymer gel, and is much less sensitive to particle and electrolyte characteristics.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Transport in polymer-gel composites: Theoretical methodology and response to an electric field does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Transport in polymer-gel composites: Theoretical methodology and response to an electric field, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Transport in polymer-gel composites: Theoretical methodology and response to an electric field will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-434180