Modeling and analysis of interfacial electro-kinetic effects on thin film lubrication

At the interface between a solid and a following liquid, charge migration within the electric double layer causes an electro-viscous force to develop which manifests itself as an enhanced fluid viscosity. Based on the Poisson–Boltzmann equation, a new mathematical model of the electro-viscosity is developed. Numerical analysis is carried out taking into account the influence of the electric double layer on thin film lubrication. Analysis results show that the electro-viscosity leads to a significant increase in the film thickness in the thin film regime (below 100 nm).