The electrokinetic energy conversion and streaming potential analytical solutions of couple stress nanofluids in the circular polyelectrolyte-grafted nanochannel

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the variation of streaming potential and EKEC efficiency of nanofluids with couple stress in the circular polyelectrolyte-grafted (PE-grafted) nanochannel under the combined effect of periodic pressure and magnetic field. The analytical solutions of the velocity field in the PEL region and electrolyte solution are obtained by solving the modified Navier-Stokes equation and the influence of several dimensionless parameters on the streaming potential and electrokinetic energy conversion (EKEC) efficiency are further discussed graphically. The results indicate that the streaming potential decreases with increasing Hartmann number and nanoparticle diameter within a certain parameter range. The dimensionless velocity shows an oscillating trend at different oscillating Reynolds numbers, and the oscillation is more pronounced at the interface between the PEL and the electrolyte solution. In addition, the EKEC efficiency of nanofluids in soft nanochannel is compared with that in a rigid one. It is shown that the EKEC efficiency is higher in PE-grafted nanochannel, and the couple stress plays an important role in improving the EKEC efficiency. We anticipate that these findings will help to reveal a novel understanding of energy conversion in the circular PE-grafted nanochannel.