Controlling electroosmotic flows by polymer coatings: A joint experimental-theoretical investigation

J Chem Phys. 2015 Nov 14;143(18):184907. doi: 10.1063/1.4934998.

Abstract

We analyze the electroosmotic flow (EOF) of an electrolytic solution in a polymer coated capillary electrophoresis tube. The polymeric density, charge, thickness, and the capillary tube charge vary as a function of pH and produce a non-trivial modulation of the EOF, including a flow reversal at acid pH conditions. By means of a theoretical argument and numerical simulations, we recover the experimental curve for the EOF, providing a firm approach for predictive analysis of electroosmosis under different polymeric coating conditions. A proposed application of the approach is to determine the near-wall charge of the coating to be used for further quantitative analysis of the electroosmotic flow and mobility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't