  Continuum simulations become an important tool to uncover the mysteries in
nanofluidic experiments. However, fluid flow in simulation models is usually
unconsidered. Here, systematical simulations are conducted to provide a
quantitative understanding of influences from electroosmotic flow (EOF) on
ionic transport through nanopores by both types of models with and without
consideration of EOF. In nanopores of less than ~10 nm in diameter, counterions
dominate ionic current which is always promoted obviously by the convective
effect of EOF. In the diameter range from ~10 to ~30 nm, strong EOF induces ion
concentration polarization or ion depletion inside nanopores which causes
significant decreases in ionic current. For nanopores larger than ~30 nm, due
to convective promotion and inhibition of EOF on the transport of counterions
and anions, considerable nanopore selectivity to counterions maintains in cases
with EOF. Though the difference in total current between both cases decreases
with further pore size increasing, the difference in cation/anion current is
still considerable. From our results under various pore parameters and applied
conditions, the fluid flow should be considered in the simulation cases when
EOF is strong. Our work may provide useful guidance for simulation conductance.
