The partition of nanoswimmers between a narrow channel and a reservoir is explored by dissipative particle dynamics. In contrast to passive colloids, nanoswimmers prefer to stay in the slit rather than in the reservoir for sufficiently large active force ($F_a$) or run time (τ). The partition ratio ($\phi$) increases with $F_a$ and τ. Interestingly, as the slit height decreases, $\phi$ grows accordingly until the confinement effect dominates. Three types of the concentration profile in the slit are identified as a consequence of the competition between surface accumulation and entropic barrier.

• Received 13 June 2019
• Revised 25 August 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.100.042604