In Situ TEM Observation of Stagnant Liquid Layer Activation in Nanochannel

The kinetics of mass transfer in a stagnant fluid layer next to an interface govern numerous dynamic reactions in diffusional micro/nanopores, such as catalysis, fuel cells, and chemical separation. However, the effect of the interplay between stagnant liquid and flowing fluid on the micro/nanoscopic mass transfer dynamics remains poorly understood. Here, by using liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we directly tracked microfluid unit migration at the nanoscale. By tracking the trajectories, an unexpected mass transfer phenomenon in which fluid units in the stagnant liquid layer migrated two orders faster during gas-liquid interface updating was identified. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations indicated that the chemical potential difference between nanoscale liquid layers led to convective flow, which greatly enhanced mass transfer on the surface. Our study opens up a pathway toward research on mass transfer in the surface liquid layers at high spatial and temporal resolutions.

Automated summary

This study used liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to directly track the migration of microfluidic units at the nanoscale. An unexpected mass transfer phenomenon was discovered, where fluid units in the stagnant liquid layer migrated two orders faster during gas-liquid interface updating. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the chemical potential difference between nanoscale liquid layers led to convective flow, greatly enhancing mass transfer on the surface.