Hydrodynamic behavior of Janus particles in a finite inertial flow

Abstract

Abstract Hydrodynamic behavior of Janus particles in a finite inertial flow is studied numerically using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) in the range of Reynolds number 0.05 ⩽ Re⩽ 10 and swimming parameter −3 ⩽ β ⩽ 3. Some results are validated by comparing with the existing results. The effects of Re, β on the hydrodynamic behavior of Janus particles are analyzed. The results show that the velocity of a pusher (a type of Janus particles) monotonically increases with the increase of Re, while the velocity of a puller (another type of Janus particles) exhibits a non-monotonic change. At high Re, the puller is unstable and presents a lateral displacement, while the pusher remains stable. The power consumption for the pusher and puller, the hydrodynamic efficiency for the pusher increase monotonically with increasing Re, while the hydrodynamic efficiency for the puller exhibits a non-monotonic change. At low Re, the power consumption and hydrodynamic efficiency of Janus particles exhibit symmetry with the variation of surface velocity distribution. This symmetry is disrupted with the increase of Re, similar to the velocity changing with the surface angle.