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Experiment 8: Study of electroosmotic flow in parallel plate microchannel
Aim of the experiment:
Demonstration of different electrokinetic phenomena and formation of Electrical
Double Layer (EDL)
To study the influence of the electric field strength and electrolyte concentration on
the average flow velocity.
Intoduction / Background:
The interplay between low Reynolds number hydrodynamics and interfacial phenomena
makes the transport processes in microfluidic devices extremely intriguing. Many of these
devices use electric field as a driving force for the transport of ionic species through narrow
confinements, under the broad purview of electroosmosis. Electroosmotic flows (EOF) enjoy
numerous advantages over traditional hydrodynamic transportation through micro and nano
confinements. It has several applications in the bio-chemical, bio-technological and
pharmaceutical industries: DNA hybridization, drug delivery, mixing and separation of
chemical species etc.
Significance and Applications:
1. Mixing and separation of chemical species.
2. Drug delivery.
3. Medical diagnostics.
4. Electronic component cooling.
Experimental Procedure:
The representative diagram of the experimental setup is shown in Figure 1. This setup
consists of a voltage source, a data acquisition system, a microchannel and a CCD camera.
The data acquisition system consists of a computer which is connected with an Olympus
microscope for recording of the experimental data. To prepare the electrolyte solution, fresh
deionized water is mixed with KCl salt. Three different concentrations of KCl solution
(0.1M, 1M, 10M) are used in the experiment and then compared to the electroosmostic
velocity profiles predicted by the well-known theoretical model.
A well established and standard protocol is followed for the fabrication of rectangular
microchannel where photolithography followed by soft lithography process is used. It starts
with cleaning the glass slides using Piranha solution (H 2O2: H2SO4= 2 : 1) followed by DI
water and then purging it by pure nitrogen jet. Further, to remove the residual moisture from
the substrate, baking is done at 95 °C by placing it in the oven for approximately one hour.
Thereafter, the substrate is cooled to room temperature followed by plasma treatment (for ~ 1
min) to improve the adhesion property of the glass substrate. The plasma treated substrate is
then spin coated with negative photoresist SU8-2050 at 4000 rpm (35 - 40 µm film thickness)
for 25 secs and a two stage baking is done at 65 °C for 3 mins followed by 95 °C for 6 mins.
Thereafter, the substrate is exposed to UV at 100 mJ/cm 2energy density through the
appropriate mask for 12 secs. Further, post-baking is done at 65 °C for 1 min which is
followed by 95 °C for 5.5 mins. Finally it is developed in developer solution for ~ 4 mins and
then placed in the oven at 95 °C for 2 - 3 hours.
Microfluidics Lab Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
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Figure 1. (a) Schematic of the experimental setup of electroosmosis. (b) Cross-sectional view of the micro
After obtaining the master mould, the PDMS based polymer and the curing
agentsare mixed in a 10:1ratio (w/w) and kept in the desiccator in order to remove the trapped
air bubbles. Then, the master mould is filled by PDMS and is cured in the oven at 95 °C for 2
hours. After that, the PDMS layer containing the structure of the microchannel is peeled off
and provision of the reservoir is made. The PDMS based microchannel is bonded toanother
glass substrate using plasma bonding. Two cylindrical reservoirs (8 mm long x 5 mm
diameter) are made in the inlet and outlet and filled with KCl solution. To supply the electric
field, platinum wires are immersed within the fluids ensuring a proper electrical connectivity.
To avoid entrance and exit losses, the reservoirs are made large as compared to the
microchannel dimensions. Before starting the measurement, the fluid level in the two
reservoirs is balanced, which ensures the absence of any flow due to pressure head. For
visualization of the electroosmotic velocity profile, we have used fluorescence microscopy
imaging technique where 0.03 % (v/v) fluorescent particles (of mean diameter 1 μm) are
added to the sample. An inverted microscope is used for observation and recording of the
images in a CCD camera with a time interval of 50 ms.
Precautions:
Safety with microscopes:
a. Wear protective clothing
b. Do not touch the lens
c. Do not look into the light for a long time
d. Be cautious with handling the microchips
Safety with DC SourceMeter:
a. Wear protective clothing
b. Wear safety shoes
Microfluidics Lab Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
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Experimental Data to be recorded:
Images are to be recorded by varying the electric field strength from 10 V/cm to 200 V/cm
for three different concentrations of aqueous KCl solution: 0.1 M, 1 M and 10 M.
Processing the experimental data:
The average velocity can be obtained from post processing of the images using any image
processing software available.(preferably ImageJ orMatlab)
Results and Discussion:
Plot average velocity vs electric field strength for different concentrations of aqueous KCl
solution.
Questions:
1. State the advantages and disadvantages of driving fluid flows using electric fields.
2. Compare and contrast the velocity profiles for pressure driven flows and
electroosmotic flows.
3. What are the parameters through which we can alter the plug velocity profile of
electroosmotic flow?
4. Suggest the modifications to be done to the experimental set up to carryout
streaming potential measurements?
References:
1. Stone, H. A.; Stroock, A. D.; Ajdari, A. Engineering Flows in Small Devices:
Microfluidics Toward a Lab-on-a-Chip. [Link]. Fluid Mech. 2004, 36 (1), 381−411.
2. Hunter, R. J. Zeta Potential in Colloid Science: Principles and Applications; Academic
Press: London, 1981.
3. Probstein, R. F. Physicochemical Hydrodynamics: An Introduction, 2nd ed.; Wiley: New
York, 1994.
Microfluidics Lab Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur