To our knowledge, this work describes the first example of electro-guided, self-propelled droplets composed solely of an ionic liquid (IL), namely trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride ([P6,6,6,14][Cl]). These self-propelled droplets travel along an aqueous-air boundary to desired destinations within the fluidic network. Electrotactic movement of the droplets is due to asymmetric electro-stimulated release of a constituent of the IL droplet, the [P6,6,6,14]+ ion, which is a very efficient cationic surfactant, through electrochemically generated Cl- gradients. The direction and speed of movement can be controlled by switching the impressed voltage (typically 5 - 9V) ON or OFF, and by changing the polarity of the electrodes in contact with the electrolyte solution.
The Cl- gradients required for droplet movement are electrochemically generated using 3D printed electrodes which are embedded within the fluidic channels. On demand creation of these Cl- gradients electrochemically allows reversible droplet movement over expended periods of time, and provides a means for precise control over the droplet trajectory.
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Funders:
Science Foundation Ireland, Insight, centre for data analytics, European Union Marie Curie People Programme Mask: PIRSES-GA-2010-269302, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence Scheme
ID Code:
21347
Deposited On:
08 Sep 2016 11:12 by
Wayne Francis
. Last Modified 30 Jan 2019 11:19