Control of particle-deposition pattern in a sessile droplet by using radial electroosmotic flow

In this technical note, we report an experimental investigation of radial electroosmotic flow (EOF) as an effective means for controlling particle-deposition pattern inside an evaporating droplet, which has a potential application to biochemistry and analytical chemistry especially for sample preparation steps. Using the microelectrode, which consists of the circular electrode around the rim of droplet and the point electrode at the center of the droplet, we generate the radial electric field at the bottom of the electrolyte droplet. The electric field developed between the center electrode and the circular electrode causes a radial EOF in the vicinity of the bottom of the droplet. By changing the applied voltage, the strengths and directions of the radial EOF are controlled at one's own discretion, and thus, we can modify the solute distribution inside the droplet during evaporation. When the radial EOF compensates the natural outward flow at a suitable choice of electrical voltage, the particles are uniformly distributed at the entire droplet spot. Moreover, with strong radial EOF, all the particles are deposited at the center rather than at the rim. We also carry out a simple theoretical investigation of flow field inside the droplet with Smoluchowski slip velocity condition to show how the particles travel during evaporation.