Size-dependent control of colloid transport via solute gradients in dead-end channels

Sangwoo Shin, Eujin Um, Benedikt Sabass, Jesse T. Ault, Mohammad Rahimi, Patrick B. Warren, Howard A. Stone

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

213 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transport of colloids in dead-end channels is involved in widespread applications including drug delivery and underground oil and gas recovery. In such geometries, Brownian motion may be considered as the sole mechanism that enables transport of colloidal particles into or out of the channels, but it is, unfortunately, an extremely inefficient transport mechanism for microscale particles. Here, we explore the possibility of diffusiophoresis as a means to control the colloid transport in dead-end channels by introducing a solute gradient. We demonstrate that the transport of colloidal particles into the dead-end channels can be either enhanced or completely prevented via diffusiophoresis. In addition, we show that size-dependent diffusiophoretic transport of particles can be achieved by considering a finite Debye layer thickness effect, which is commonly ignored. A combination of diffusiophoresis and Brownian motion leads to a strong size-dependent focusing effect such that the larger particles tend to concentrate more and reside deeper in the channel. Our findings have implications for all manners of controlled release processes, especially for site-specific delivery systems where localized targeting of particles with minimal dispersion to the nontarget area is essential.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)257-261
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume113
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 12 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

Keywords

  • Colloid
  • Dead-end channel
  • Diffusiophoresis
  • Size effect
  • Solute gradient

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