ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Influence of different electric fields on electroosmotic micromixing performance

Ahmad Najafpour and Morteza Bayareh

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Iran

E-mail: m.bayareh@sku.ac.ir

Received: 18 July 2025  Accepted: 14 August 2025

Abstract:

This study introduces an innovative electroosmotic micromixer that features circular mixing chambers connected by intersecting microchannels. To evaluate its performance, three-dimensional simulations are carried out using a direct current (DC) electric field generated by two electrodes positioned above the circular chambers. Additionally, two-dimensional simulations utilize an alternating current (AC) electric field applied through semi-circular electrodes. The main goal of the research is to assess how mixing efficiency (ME) and pressure drop (Δp) are influenced by variables including DC and AC voltage, AC frequency, and the inlet flow rate. The effectiveness of the DC–powered micromixer is assessed by calculating the performance evaluation criterion (PEC). Results from the 3D DC-driven simulations indicate that ME increases with higher DC voltage but decreases with rising Reynolds number (Re). PEC values for the DC-driven micromixer range from 0.232 to 70.92, demonstrating a highly efficient design. In the AC-driven micromixer, no clear trend is observed between ME and changes in inlet velocity; however, ME improves with increased voltage and diminishes as frequency rises.

Keywords: Electroosmosis; Micromixing; Direct current electric field; Alternating current electric field

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04333-9

Chemical Papers 79 (12) 8537–8547 (2025)