Numerical simulations of electrokinetic transport of a particle in a microfluidic confined domain

The electrokinetic transport behaviors of a particle in a microfluidic confined domain under thin electrical double layer (EDL) assumption are investigated. The focus is placed on transport velocity development of the particle. A finite element method based numerical simulation is employed to solve the model. The results indicate that the particle's density, domain width and zeta potential ratio of the wall to the particle are important to the particle's migration. Moreover, the dynamic flow field and vortex evolution within the confined domain are examined. It is found that the translational migration of the particle is significantly affected by electroosmotic flow (EOF) induced vortex flow within the domain.