Abstract
We theoretically demonstrate the possibility of inversion of solvent migration in charged membranes, opposing osmosis. Inversion of solvent migration is ascribed to the finite volume of ions in the solution permeating the membrane, a quantity that has been neglected in the literature so far. We propose a model of the electrochemistry in the proximity of an electrode, illustrating the range of the molar volume of ions that can yield the inversion of solvent migration. This study poses the basis for novel applications in microfluidics, nanofluidics, and electrochemistry, along with new inquiries in biology.
- Received 24 May 2021
- Revised 14 July 2021
- Accepted 24 August 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.156001
© 2021 American Physical Society
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
synopsis
Reversing Flow in Charged Membranes
Published 6 October 2021
The process of osmosis is predicted—under certain conditions—to act in the opposite direction within charged membranes.
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