Electro-Osmosis of Polymer Solutions

This thesis focuses on the theoretical description of electro-osmosis of polymer solutions. In particular, it emphasizes the importance of considering non-uniform profiles of the solution viscosity and polymer concentration near a solid surface. The thesis begins with an introduction to fundamental theories and experimental observations for beginners in this field, concerning electrolyte solutions, electric double layers, and electrokinetics. In Chapter 2, the author discusses the linear response of electro-osmotic flow with respect to applied electric fields in aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions, and predicts a possibility of flow reversal caused by oppositely charged polyelectrolytes adsorbed on a charged surface. In Chapter 3, the author extends the discussion to non-linear electro-osmotic flow driven by applied electric fields in neutral polymer solutions. The dynamics of polymers are modeled and simulated using Brownian dynamics and kinetic theory. Finally, the thesis is summarized in Chapter 4. The introduction provides a comprehensive review of electrokinetics for graduate students and researchers interested in soft matter physics. An additional attraction is that readers can effectively learn various theoretical approaches to electro-osmosis.