Transport-Induced-Charge Electroosmosis

Abstract

We report theoretical analysis of transport-induced-charge electroosmosis (TICEO) in a nanopore due to the presence of a local electric field and a conductivity gradient. TICEO shares a similar characteristic with classical induced-charge electroosmosis (ICEO) that the mean velocity $\overline{v_\text{TIC}}$ is proportional to the square of the applied electric potential difference $\Delta\psi$, $i.e.$, $\overline{v_\text{TIC}} \propto (\Delta\psi)^2$, appropriate for alternating current (AC) pumping applications. In contrast to ICEO which is primarily used in microfluidics, TICEO does not require metallic or dielectric patches and is thus suitable for nanopore pumping, providing new opportunities for AC nanopore applications.