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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Generation and Control of Electrohydrodynamic Flows in Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions
Published on: September 7, 2018
Electrokinetic Phenomena in concentrated disperse systems: general problem formulation and Spherical Cell Approach
Emilij K Zholkovskij1, Jacob H Masliyah, Vladimir N Shilov
1Institute of Bio-Colloid Chemistry of Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Vernadskogo,42, 03142, Kiev, Ukraine.
This study revisits the Spherical Cell Approach for electrokinetic phenomena in concentrated systems. It resolves contradictions by defining correct boundary conditions, leading to a new method for predicting kinetic coefficients.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Electrokinetic phenomena in concentrated disperse and colloid systems are crucial for understanding material behavior.
- The Spherical Cell Approach has been widely used but suffers from contradictions due to boundary condition issues.
- Existing models often yield conflicting results, necessitating a re-evaluation of the theoretical framework.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review advances in the Spherical Cell Approach for electrokinetic phenomena.
- To identify and resolve contradictions arising from boundary condition implementations.
- To develop a rigorous and accurate method for predicting kinetic coefficients in concentrated suspensions.
Main Methods:
- Revisiting the theory of electrokinetic phenomena with a focus on outer boundary conditions of the Spherical Cell.
- Formulating a general mathematical problem for disperse systems under pressure, gravity, and electric fields.
- Deriving a complete set of boundary conditions based on volume averaging equivalence.
- Employing a small perturbation parameter method with normalized zeta potential.
Main Results:
- Strict definitions for kinetic coefficients were established.
- General relationships, including Smoluchowski expressions and Onsager relations, were rederived.
- A novel method for predicting kinetic coefficients was developed, accounting for zeta potential terms.
- Predictions from the new method were compared against existing literature, highlighting model validity.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a corrected version of the Spherical Cell Approach by addressing boundary condition inconsistencies.
- The developed method offers a more accurate prediction of kinetic coefficients in concentrated electrokinetic systems.
- This work clarifies the validity of various models in the literature concerning electrokinetic phenomena.
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