Effects of double-layer polarization and electroosmotic flow on the electrophoresis of a finite cylinder along the axis of a cylindrical pore

The electrophoresis of a rigid, finite cylindrical particle along the axis of a long cylindrical pore is analyzed theoretically under the conditions of arbitrary surface potential and double-layer thickness. The effects of double-layer polarization and electroosmotic flow on the electrophoretic behavior of the particle are discussed. We show that if both the particle and the pore are positively charged, the mobility of the particle has a local minimum as the thickness of double layer varies. Also, if the level of the surface potential of the particle is sufficiently high and its aspect ratio is sufficiently large, then its mobility may change its sign twice as the thickness of double layer (or the concentration of electrolytes) varies. These findings are of practical significance in designing an electrophoresis operation because it will influence the prediction of the charged conditions on a particle if electrophoresis is used as an analytical tool, and the separation efficiency, if it is adopted as a separation technique. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.