Capillary Filling of Nanoscale Channels and Surface Structure
Nanoscale surface structures and channels are of intense interest for the very high surface-to-volume ratios involved. For extremely small systems, it may become difficult to distinguish between bulk and interface as well as their respective effects on the fluid volume. We review capillary filling o...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
2014
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54308 |
| _version_ | 1848759339651694592 |
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| author | Kriel, F. Sedev, Rossen Priest, C. |
| author_facet | Kriel, F. Sedev, Rossen Priest, C. |
| author_sort | Kriel, F. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Nanoscale surface structures and channels are of intense interest for the very high surface-to-volume ratios involved. For extremely small systems, it may become difficult to distinguish between bulk and interface as well as their respective effects on the fluid volume. We review capillary filling of nanochannels and wicking in nanoscale surface structures. Both processes are of fundamental importance for the initial filling and successful operation of nanofluidic devices. We conclude that, despite the small scales involved, Washburn’s description of the spontaneous capillary filling of nanochannels is reliable. Similarly, nanowicking follows conventional capillarity theory closely. Nonetheless, open questions remain about the role and significance of line tension, precursor films and contact line pinning. The exact consequences of a diffuse interface or contact line are yet to be fully understood. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T09:58:19Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-54308 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T09:58:19Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-543082017-11-03T01:51:51Z Capillary Filling of Nanoscale Channels and Surface Structure Kriel, F. Sedev, Rossen Priest, C. Nanoscale surface structures and channels are of intense interest for the very high surface-to-volume ratios involved. For extremely small systems, it may become difficult to distinguish between bulk and interface as well as their respective effects on the fluid volume. We review capillary filling of nanochannels and wicking in nanoscale surface structures. Both processes are of fundamental importance for the initial filling and successful operation of nanofluidic devices. We conclude that, despite the small scales involved, Washburn’s description of the spontaneous capillary filling of nanochannels is reliable. Similarly, nanowicking follows conventional capillarity theory closely. Nonetheless, open questions remain about the role and significance of line tension, precursor films and contact line pinning. The exact consequences of a diffuse interface or contact line are yet to be fully understood. 2014 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54308 10.1002/ijch.201400086 WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH restricted |
| spellingShingle | Kriel, F. Sedev, Rossen Priest, C. Capillary Filling of Nanoscale Channels and Surface Structure |
| title | Capillary Filling of Nanoscale Channels and Surface Structure |
| title_full | Capillary Filling of Nanoscale Channels and Surface Structure |
| title_fullStr | Capillary Filling of Nanoscale Channels and Surface Structure |
| title_full_unstemmed | Capillary Filling of Nanoscale Channels and Surface Structure |
| title_short | Capillary Filling of Nanoscale Channels and Surface Structure |
| title_sort | capillary filling of nanoscale channels and surface structure |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54308 |