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Dielectrophoresis of nanocolloids: A molecular dynamics study

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Abstract.

Dielectrophoresis (DEP), the motion of polarizable particles in non-uniform electric fields, has become an important tool for the transport, separation, and characterization of microparticles in biomedical and nanoelectronics research. In this article we present, to our knowledge, the first molecular dynamics simulations of DEP of nanometer-sized colloidal particles. We introduce a simplified model for a polarizable nanoparticle, consisting of a large charged macroion and oppositely charged microions, in an explicit solvent. The model is then used to study DEP motion of the particle at different combinations of temperature and electric field strength. In accord with linear response theory, the particle drift velocities are shown to be proportional to the DEP force. Analysis of the colloid DEP mobility shows a clear time dependence, demonstrating the variation of friction under non-equilibrium. The time dependence of the mobility further results in an apparent weak variation of the DEP displacements with temperature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Physics and Soft Matter Group, Laboratory of Physics and Helsinki Institute of Physics, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 1100, FI-02015 HUT, Finland

    E. Salonen, E. Terama & I. Vattulainen

  2. Memphys-Center of Biomembrane Physics, Physics Department, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230, Odense M, Denmark

    I. Vattulainen

  3. Biophysics and Statistical Mechanics Group, Laboratory of Computational Engineering, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 9203, FI-02015 HUT, Finland

    M. Karttunen

Authors
  1. E. Salonen
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  2. E. Terama
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  3. I. Vattulainen
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  4. M. Karttunen
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Correspondence to E. Salonen.

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Salonen, E., Terama, E., Vattulainen, I. et al. Dielectrophoresis of nanocolloids: A molecular dynamics study. Eur. Phys. J. E 18, 133–142 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2004-10157-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2004-10157-2

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