Periodic electric field enhanced transport through membranes
Date
2006
Authors
Mollee, T.
Anissimov, Y.
Roberts, M.S.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Journal of Membrane Science, 2006; 278(1-2):290-300
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
We examine the mean flux across a homogeneous membrane of a charged tracer subject to an alternating, symmetric voltage waveform. The analysis is based on the Nernst-Planck flux equation, with electric field subject to time dependence only. For low frequency electric fields the quasi steady-state flux can be approximated using the Goldman model, which has exact analytical solutions for tracer concentration and flux. No such closed form solutions can be found for arbitrary frequencies, however we find approximations for high frequency. An approximation formula for the average flux at all frequencies is also obtained from the two limiting approximations. Numerical integration of the governing equation is accomplished by use of the numerical method of lines and is performed for four different voltage waveforms. For the different voltage profiles, comparisons are made with the approximate analytical solutions which demonstrates their applicability. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.