Presence of single wall carbon nanotubes on electroosmotic flow and microfluidic surface properties

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Carbon nanotubes were discovered in 1991. Subsequent studies found that their remarkable material properties (mechanical and electrical) could be an ideal candidate for a wide range of applications. For example, CNTs represent a new class of nanofibers with potential applications on structural reinforcement of polymer as composites or as conduits in nanofluidic systems. Nevertheless, the effect of CNTs on surface/interfacial properties such as those in microfluidic systems is rarely explored. We have recently found that addition of a small amount of carbon nanotubes into a polymer surface could reduce the so-called electroviscous effect from pressure-driven microfluidic systems. In this study, we aim to examine these phenomena in detail by means of the more accurate and analytical research equipment. Successful completion of this project could lead to commercialization of the importance idea in reducing viscous force in microchannels by simply tailoring surface energetics through carbon nanotube addition and hence improves the efficiency for cooling of microelectronics.