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In situations involving large zeta potential, the classical Poisson-Boltzmann theory of electrolytes breaks down and a modified Poisson-Boltzmann equation which takes into account the finite size of the ions must be utilized. In addition, most biofluids cannot be treated as Newtonian, therefore, simultaneous effects of finite size of the ions and non-Newtonian behavior of the fluid in combined electroosmotic and pressure driven flows have been examined in the present study. The Governing equations are solved by a finite-difference-based numerical procedure in a rectangular microchannel. The ion size is introduced into the modified Poisson-Boltzmann equation by the steric factor, which allows considering the ions as point charges or finite sizes. Considering the ionic finite size, generally enhances the velocity of the shear-thickening fluid, while reduces the velocity of shear-thinning fluid. The Cross sectional aspect ratio is also considered and it was found that the adverse pressure gradient greatly affects the velocity profile, when aspect ratio increases, while velocity profile is less sensitive to aspect ratio variations in favorable pressure gradients. Furthermore, friction coefficient of both shear thinning and thickening fluids increases with the increase in zeta potential for point charge model, which for finite size charges decreases. Cross sectional averaged velocity reduces under steric effects for shear thinning fluids at large zeta potentials, while it is slightly influenced by shear thickening fluids.

Keywords: Steric effects, Power-law fluids, Zeta potential, Electroosmotic flow

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