Streaming potential effects on solute dispersion in nanochannels

This correspondence presents a theoretical analysis of the effects of streaming potential on the hydrodynamic dispersion of solutes in pressure-driven flow. The induced electroosmotic backflow is shown to significantly decrease the solute dispersion in slit nanochannels. The dispersion coefficient as traditionally defined may be significantly increased or decreased by streaming potential effects. These influences are sensitive to the solute charge, and found to be mainly dependent on an electrokinetic figure of merit.