Polarization behavior of polystyrene particles under direct current and low-frequency (<1 kHz) electric fields in dielectrophoretic systems.

The relative polarization behavior of micron and submicron polystyrene particles was investigated under direct current and very low frequency (<1 kHz) alternating current electric fields. Relative polarization of particles with respect to the suspending medium is expressed in terms of the Clausius-Mossotti factor, a parameter of crucial importance in dielectrophoretic-based operations. Particle relative polarization was studied by employing insulator-based dielectrophoretic (iDEP) devices. The effects of particle size, medium conductivity, and frequency (10-1000 Hz) of the applied electric potential on particle response were assessed through experiments and mathematical modeling with COMSOL Multiphysics(®). Particles of different sizes (100-1000 nm diameters) were introduced into iDEP devices fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and their dielectrophoretic responses under direct and alternating current electric fields were recorded and analyzed in the form of images and videos. The results illustrated that particle polarizability and dielectrophoretic response depend greatly on particle size and the frequency of the electric field. Small particles tend to exhibit positive DEP at higher frequencies (200-1000 Hz), while large particles exhibit negative DEP at lower frequencies (20-200 Hz). These differences in relative polarization can be used for the design of iDEP-based separations and analysis of particle mixtures.