Effect of finite ion size on the transport of a neutral solute across the porous wall of a nanotube is presented in this study. Modified Poisson–Boltzmann equation without the Debye–Huckel approximation is used to determine the potential distribution within the tube. Power law fluid is selected for the study, as its rheology resembles closely to the real-life physiological fluids. The flow within the tube is actuated by the combined effects of pressure and electroosmotic forces. Steady-state solute balance equation is solved by the similarity technique in order to track the solute transport across the tube. The effects of ionic radius, ionic concentration, and flow behavioral index on the length-averaged Sherwood number, permeate flux, and permeate concentration are analyzed. This study will be extremely helpful in predicting the transport characteristics of a neutral solute in real physiological systems and also to fine-tune the performance of microfluidic devices having porous wall.

中文翻译：

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有限离子尺寸对中性溶质穿过纳米管多孔壁传输的影响

本研究介绍了有限离子大小对中性溶质穿过纳米管多孔壁传输的影响。使用没有 Debye-Huckel 近似的修正 Poisson-Boltzmann 方程来确定管内的电位分布。选择幂律流体进行研究，因为其流变学与现实生活中的生理流体非常相似。管内的流动由压力和电渗力的联合作用驱动。稳态溶质平衡方程通过相似性技术求解，以跟踪跨管的溶质传输。分析了离子半径、离子浓度和流动行为指数对长度平均舍伍德数、渗透通量和渗透浓度的影响。