https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2023.015
Published: Kem. Ind. 72 (11-12) (2023) 693–699
Paper reference number: KUI-15/2023
Paper type: Review
Download paper:  PDF

Thermophoresis or When Small Objects Meet Temperature Gradient: Numerous Applications

M. Simović-Pavlović, M. Pagnacco, A. Radulović, J. Senćanski and M. Marković

Abstract

This mini review discusses the phenomenon of thermophoresis, also known as the thermophoretic effect. Thermophoretic effect arises from the combination of a temperature gradient and particles of very small dimensions, on the order of magnitude of the mean free path of the molecules of the surrounding gas. Despite being a little-known effect, it is critical to many physical and chemical processes and for characterising the properties of nanostructured materials that could be used in industry for sensing applications. A description and definition of otherwise very similar thermophoresis terms is provided, as well as a brief overview of the literature on this topic, with a focus on research in the twenty-first century.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Keywords

thermophoresis, photophoresis, thermomechanical effects, thermophoretic force, temperature gradient