Review of nanofluidic mass transport systems: engineering through physicochemical fields and interfacial properties.

Abstract

Nanofluidic transport phenomena are central to both natural and engineered systems, enabling processes such as nutrient delivery and ion exchange in biological organisms, as well as controlled transport in advanced technological applications. At the nanoscale, these processes exhibit unique behaviors distinct from their microscale counterparts arising from strong coupling between physicochemical fields and interfacial effects. Precise modulation of nanofluidic transport can be achieved through external stimuli such as concentration, electric, thermal and pressure gradients as well as through structural and material parameters including geometries, confinement scales, dimensions, wettability, and surface charge density. A comprehensive understanding, therefore, requires dissecting the individual contributions of various physicochemical fields and interfacial effects, while elucidating their coupled, multiple physicochemical interactions. In this review, we examine the theoretical foundations of physicochemical field-driven nanofluidic transport, describe the role of interfacial properties arising from structural and material characteristics, and analyze their interplay under combined-field scenarios. We further survey recent advances in state-of-the-art nanofluidic applications, discuss current challenges, and outline future directions aimed at guiding the rational design of next-generation nanofluidic transport systems and expanding the frontiers of nanofluidic technology.