Nanofluidic transport and formation of nano-emulsions

Abstract

The focus of this research is to study fluidic transport through carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes studied were formed by electrospinning Polycaplrolactone (PCL) nanofibers and then using them as channel templates in colyacrylamide blocks which were carbonized. A pressure driven flow is initiated through the nanochannels and the rate of emulsion formation is recorded with a CCD camera. Theoretical calculations are conducted for nanochannels because in many experiments, the nanochannels studied have two-phase flows, which make direct application of Poiseuille law impossible. The model used for the calculations is a slit with two fluid layers in between. In particular, in many experiments, decane-air system is of interest. The calculations are carried out using the Navier-Stokes equations. The results of the model are used to evaluate experimental volumetric flow rates and find the distribution of air and decane in the nanochannels.