Diffusiophoresis and Diffusio-osmosis into a Dead-End Channel: Role of the Concentration-Dependence of Zeta Potential

Chemically induced transport methods open up new opportunities for colloidal transport in dead-end channel geometries. Diffusiophoresis, which describes particle movement under an electrolyte concentration gradient, has previously been demonstrated in dead-end channels. The presence of solute concentration gradients in such channels induces particle motion (phoresis) and fluid flow along solid walls (osmosis). The particle velocity inside a dead-end channel is thus influenced by particle diffusiophoresis and wall diffusio-osmosis. The magnitude of phoresis and osmosis depends on the solute’s relative concentration gradient, the electrokinetic parameters of the particle and the wall, and the diffusivity contrast of cations and anions. Although it is known that some of those parameters are affected by electrolyte concentration, e.g., zeta potential, research to date often interprets results using averaged and constant zeta potential values. In this work, we demonstrate that concentration-dependent zeta potentials are essential when the zeta potential strongly depends on electrolyte concentration for correctly describing the particle transport inside dead-end channels. Simulations including concentration-dependent zeta potentials for the particle and wall matched with experimental observations, whereas simulations using constant, averaged zeta potentials failed to capture particle dynamics. These results contribute to the fundamental understanding of diffusiophoresis and the diffusio-osmosis process.