  The dominant modes of charge transport in variant polar liquid based
nanoparticulate colloidal dispersions (dilute) have been theorized. Theories
formulating electrical characteristics of colloids have often been found to
over or under predict charge transport in dilute suspensions of nanoparticles
in polar fluids owing to grossly different mechanistic behavior of concentrated
systems. Three major interacting modes with independent yet simultaneous
existence have been proposed and found to be consistent with analyses of
experimental data. Electric Double Layer (EDL) formation at nanoparticle fluid
interface conjugated electrophoresis under the influence of the electric field
has been determined as one important mode of charge transport. Nanoparticle
polarization due to short range field non-uniformity caused by the EDL with
consequent particle motion due to interparticle electrostatic interactions acts
as another mode of transport. Coupled electrothermal diffusion arising out of
Brownian randomization in presence of the electric field has been determined as
the third dominant mode. An analytical model based on discrete interactions of
the charged particle fluid domains explains the various behavioral aspects of
such dispersions, as observed and validated from detailed experimental
analysis. The analysis is also predictive of the dominance and behavior of the
three modes with important nanocolloid parameters such as temperature and
concentration.
