Nanoscale electrokinetics in self-assembled nanoparticles

In this study, we propose a novel microplatform to study nanoscale electrokinetics in fluid, that is, ion transportation on nanoscale or microscale. This system is constructed by fine control of self-assembly of nanoparticles in microchannel. We use this assemble particles as an ion-selective membrane and carry out the analysis about ion depletion layer formation according to the changes of geometry of microchannels, and size and materials in nanoparticles. Through this analysis, we conclude that ion transportation can be quantitatively tuned by the control of nanoparticle size, materials, and shape of microchannel. In the future, various ionic current devices based on nanoelectrokinetics can be developed such as biosensors, desalination, energy generation, biomimetic system etc.