Hydrodynamic behavior of Janus particles in a finite inertial flow

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.