Abstract
Thermo-osmosis of liquids in a microscale channel is investigated by theoretical and simulation study. From the basic set of conservation equations, the temperature and velocity distributions are derived in the function of the given temperatures and pressure gradient. The pressure gradient for a given temperature gradient is then obtained by the molecular simulation. It is shown that the temperature gradient tangential to the surface induces the pressure gradient and thus the flow in the interfacial region between the liquid and channel surface. The thermo-osmotic flow is proportional to the applied temperature gradient, and the factor of proportionality depends on temperature and intermolecular potential. The origin and characteristics of the phenomenon are discussed in molecular details.