Advances in Physics: X (Dec 2022)

Electroosmosis in nanopores: computational methods and technological applications

  • Alberto Gubbiotti,
  • Matteo Baldelli,
  • Giovanni Di Muccio,
  • Paolo Malgaretti,
  • Sophie Marbach,
  • Mauro Chinappi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/23746149.2022.2036638
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1

Abstract

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Electroosmosis is a fascinating effect where liquid motion is induced by an applied electric field. Counter ions accumulate in the vicinity of charged surfaces, triggering a coupling between liquid mass transport and external electric field. In nanofluidic technologies, where surfaces play an exacerbated role, electroosmosis is thus of primary importance. Its consequences on transport properties in biological and synthetic nanopores are subtle and intricate. Thorough understanding is therefore challenging yet crucial to fully assess the mechanisms at play. Here, we review recent progress on computational techniques for the analysis of electroosmosis and discuss technological applications, in particular for nanopore sensing devices.

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