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Nonlinear Electrophoresis of Highly Charged Nonpolarizable Particles.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Misiunas, Karolis 
Keyser, Ulrich F 
Bonthuis, Douwe Jan 

Abstract

Nonlinear field dependence of electrophoresis in high fields has been investigated theoretically, yet experimental studies have failed to reach consensus on the effect. In this Letter, we present a systematic study on the nonlinear electrophoresis of highly charged submicron particles in applied electric fields of up to several kV/cm. First, the particles are characterized in the low-field regime at different salt concentrations and the surface charge density is estimated. Subsequently, we use microfluidic channels and video tracking to systematically characterize the nonlinear response over a range of field strengths. Using velocity measurements on the single particle level, we prove that nonlinear effects are present at electric fields and surface charge densities that are accessible in practical conditions. Finally, we show that nonlinear behavior leads to unexpected particle trapping in channels.

Description

Keywords

4012 Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering, 40 Engineering, 51 Physical Sciences

Journal Title

Phys Rev Lett

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0031-9007
1079-7114

Volume Title

123

Publisher

American Physical Society (APS)

Rights

Publisher's own licence
Sponsorship
European Research Council (647144)