Structural transformations in magnetic suspensions

Structural transformations in dispersions of micron-sized iron particles suspended in a magnetite ferrofluid (the colloidal suspension of ferromagnetic nanoparticles in nonmagnetic liquid) are theoretically considered. An attempt is made to explain the tendency of iron particles to form doublets and longer chain aggregates with finite distance between particles in external magnetic field observed in recent experiments; in colloidal ferrofluid, micron-sized iron particles approach one another to finite distance that is equal approximately to the particle diameter. At moderate magnetic fields, minimal distance between approached particles is nearly independent of the strength of magnetic field. In ordinary magnetorheological dispersions, which are suspensions of magnetizing micron-sized particles in nonmagnetic liquid, the approach of particles practically does not occur up to their physical contact.     

Ferrofluids Containing Fe3O4 Nanoparticles in Solidified Photoresist Carrier

Ferrofluids, formed by magnetic nanoparticles uniformly dispersed in a liquid carrier, respond to an external magnetic field, which enable the fluid's position by applying a magnetic field. Here, ferrofluids composed of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with oleic acid and oleylamine as the surfactant and photoresist, respectively, were prepared. Under an external magnetic field, the movement and the position of ferrofluids and the injection of the fluids into complex shapes were easily achieved. The ferrofluid surfaces were distorted under the magnetic field, and the surface structue was controlled by the applied field strength. Using a photoresist as the liquid carrier, it was possible to solidify the ferrofluids by UV irradiation. The shape and the position of the solid superparamagnetic nanoparticles/polymer composites were also determined by the external magnetic field.     

Computer simulation to investigate magnetic and wave-absorbing characteristics of iron nanoparticles

Computer simulations were carried out to investigate the magnetic and wave-absorbing characteristics of iron nanoparticles. The magnetic properties were found to depend on the shape, aggregation, and array of the nanoparticles. Nanoparticle systems were simulated using a molecular dynamics (MD) method, and the resulting configurations were used to compute the magnetic properties of the systems. In this work, microdot magnetic dipoles were assumed to localize on the iron atoms of nanoparticles. The dynamics of these magnetic dipoles under an external magnetic field were simulated by solving the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation numerically. The energy loss of a system under an external magnetic field was computed from the hysteresis curve and was correlated with the wave-absorbing characteristic of the system. The findings suggested that the disk-shaped iron particles had a greater hysteresis loss energy than the ball-shaped iron particles. It was also found that the aggregation of nanoparticles apparently reduced the wave-absorbing characteristic of the system. All the outcomes were in good agreement with the experimental measurements.     

Heating and separation using nanomagnet-functionalized metal-organic frameworks

A magnetic functionalization of microcrystalline MOF particles was realized using magnetic iron oxide particles. Such magnetic MOFs can be separated using a static magnetic field after use in catalytic processes and heated by an external alternating magnetic field to trigger desorption of encaged drug molecules.     

磁性离子液体的应用研究

磁性离子液体是指能够吸附在磁铁上,在外加磁场作用下具有一定磁化强度的离子液体。本文综述了自2004年磁性离子液体概念提出至今在各领域的应用,其可以催化吡咯、3-甲基噻吩等单体合成导电高分子纳米微球,同时起到溶剂和模板的作用;还可以通过外加磁场调整产物的微观结构和形貌,从而得到不同的纳米结构;它也可以充当Lewis酸催化剂,催化傅克反应等一系列化学反应,并可以回收重复使用,而且回收有望通过磁场简单实现;与碳纳米管以共价键结合可以制备具有磁性的碳纳米管。除此之外,磁性离子液体在光控顺磁性超分子体系、吸收有机挥发物等领域的应用在近年也陆续有报道。     

Magnetic relaxation in basic iron(III) carboxylate [Fe3O(O2CPh)6(H2O)3]ClO4·py

The magnetic properties of the antiferromagnetic basic iron(III) carboxylate [Fe(3)O(O(2)CPh)(6)(H(2)O)(3)]ClO(4)·py are studied by magnetic susceptometry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectrocopy. Ac susceptometry under moderate external magnetic fields reveals magnetic relaxation at liquid helium temperatures.     

Occurrence and prevention of photodissolution at the phase junction of magnetite and titanium dioxide

A stable magnetic photocatalyst was prepared by coating a magnetic core with a layer of photoactive titanium dioxide. A direct deposition of titanium dioxide onto the surface of magnetic iron oxide particles proved ineffective in producing a stable magnetic photocatalyst, with high levels of photodissolution being observed with these samples. This observed photodissolution is believed to be due to the dissolution of the iron oxide phase, induced by the photoactive the titanium dioxide layer due to electronic interactions at the phase junction in these magnetic photocatalysts. The introduction of an intermediate passive SiO₂ layer between the titanium dioxide phase and the iron oxide phase inhibited the direct electrical contact and hence prevented the photodissolution of the iron oxide phase. The magnetic photocatalyst is for use in slurry-type reactors from which the catalyst can be easily recovered by the application of an external magnetic field.     

Some Aspects of Magnetic Filtration Theory for Removal of Fine Particles from Aqueous Suspensions

The magnetic filtration theory was evaluated to intensify the filtration of industrial fluids by magnetic filters. Effects of filtration velocity and external magnetic field intensity on filter performance were investigated and the dependence of the logarithmic efficiency coefficient on filtration velocity was questioned. It was concluded that change in the magnetic susceptibility of the dispersion particles, caused by external magnetic field, and change in the flow rate properties of the liquid alongside the filter pores are the most essential factors to be considered in the design, development, and modeling of magnetic filtration systems in various industrial areas.     

Soft magnetic carbonyl iron microsphere dispersed in grease and its rheological characteristics under magnetic field

Magnetorheological (MR) grease, comprised of a suspension of soft magnetic carbonyl iron (CI) microspherical particles dispersed in a grease medium, was fabricated by a mechanical stirring method. As potential medium oil for MR system, shear viscosity of the pure grease was measured as a function of temperature. Its MR characteristics were investigated using a rotational rheometer under an external magnetic field. Flow curve responses (shear stress and shear viscosity), yield stress, and elasticity were investigated using various magnetic field strengths ranging from 0 to 342 kA/m. It was confirmed that MR grease has a yield stress under no external magnetic field due to the inherent property of grease. In addition, CI based MR grease exhibited a characteristic of a Bingham fluid.     

Determination of pressure in the extradendritic liquid area during solidification

Complex-shaped lamellar graphite iron castings are susceptible to casting defects related to the volume change during solidification. The formations of these recurring defects are caused by the flow of the liquid in the intradendritic area, between the austenite dendrite arms, and in the extradendritic area between the austenite grains. The conditions for the liquid flow, in turn, are determined by the solidification behavior. The present study suggests a new measurement method and a novel calculation algorithm to determine the pressure of the extradendritic liquid during solidification. The method involves a spherical sample suspended in a measurement device, where the temperature and the volume changes are measured during solidification. The calculation algorithm is based on the numerical interpretation of the Clausius–Clapeyron equation where the temperature variation, the volume change and the released latent heat are processed to determine the local pressure of the extradendritic liquid area during solidification.

     

Magnetic core shell nanoparticles trapping in a microdevice generating high magnetic gradient

Magnetic core shell nanoparticles (MCSNPs) 30 nm diameter with a magnetic weight of 10% are usually much too small to be trapped in microfluidic systems using classical external magnets. Here, a simple microchip for efficient MCSNPs trapping and release is presented. It comprises a bed of micrometric iron beads (6-8 μm diameter) packed in a microchannel against a physical restriction and presenting a low dead volume of 0.8 nL. These beads of high magnetic permeability are used to focus magnetic field lines from an external permanent magnet and generate local high magnetic gradients. The nanoparticles magnetic trap has been characterised both by numerical simulations and fluorescent MCSNPs imaging. Numerical simulations have been performed to map both the magnetic flux density and the magnetic force, and showed that MCSNPs are preferentially trapped at the iron bead magnetic poles where the magnetic force is increased by 3 orders of magnitude. The trapping efficiency was experimentally determined using fluorescent MCSNPs for different flow rates, different iron beads and permanent magnet positions. At a flow rate of 100 μL h(-1), the nanoparticles trapping/release can be achieved within 20 s with a preconcentration factor of 4000.     

Ferromagnetic liquid crystals for magnetic field visualisation

In this paper, we demonstrate how to apply recently discovered ferromagnetic nematic liquid crystal for visualisation of magnetic fields. The material exhibits strong optical response to both external electric and magnetic fields, which gives us an opportunity to use it for the detection of an area of magnetic vector field in a way that both, the magnitude and the direction of a given field can be simultaneously measured. We discuss the physical model that describes the behaviour of ferromagnetic liquid crystal placed in a liquid crystal cell and demonstrate the method of extracting the information about an arbitrary magnetic field from the combination of magneto-optic and electro-optic response of the sample placed in that field. We have applied the principle to a special case, where magnetic field was visualised on a 2D area near a cylindrical permanent magnet.     

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with photoswitchable fluorescence

The incorporation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with sulfur-oxidized diarylethene molecules resulted in a novel multifunctional nanosystem, in which the fluorescent performance and flocculation and dispersion are reversibly switched by light irradiation and external magnetic field, respectively.     

Ising wall instability in a nematic liquid crystal

A new instability for a splay-bend Ising wall was found in a 5CB nematic liquid crystal layer. This instability, which occurs in the presence of an external horizontal magnetic field, is driven by the elastic anisotropy of the liquid crystal material. Depending on the homogeneity of the magnetic field, the unstable straight interface evolves towards a new steady state or undergoes a spinodal decomposition into facets. Energy arguments are given in order to explain these physical phenomena.     

Delivery of nanogram payloads using magnetic porous silicon microcarriers

A transport and delivery system for nanogram quantities of molecular species that does not use microfluidic channels, pumps, or valves is described. Microparticles consisting of magnetic porous silicon are prepared, and loading and delivery of an enzymatic payload are demonstrated. The high porosity (60%) porous Si host particles are made magnetic by infusion of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (30 nm-diameter magnetite, Fe(3)O(4)) under oxidative conditions. After magnetite incorporation, the porous microparticle is still empty enough to accommodate nanogram quantities of a molecular payload; the enzymes horseradish peroxidase or pronase E are used in the present work. The assembly can be transported to a microliter water droplet containing the enzyme substrate with the aid of an external magnetic field. The enzyme is released into the droplet upon contact. The particles can be transported through air or a hydrocarbon liquid without loss in enzymatic activity of the payload.     

Ising wall instability in a nematic liquid crystal

A new instability for a splay-bend Ising wall was found in a 5CB nematic liquid crystal layer. This instability, which occurs in the presence of an external horizontal magnetic field, is driven by the elastic anisotropy of the liquid crystal material. Depending on the homogeneity of the magnetic field, the unstable straight interface evolves towards a new steady state or undergoes a spinodal decomposition into facets. Energy arguments are given in order to explain these physical phenomena.     

Low-temperature susceptibility of concentrated magnetic fluids

The initial susceptibility of concentrated magnetic fluids (ferrocolloids) has been experimentally investigated at low temperatures. The results obtained indicate that the interparticle dipole-dipole interactions can increase the susceptibility by several times as compared to the Langevin value. It is shown that good agreement between recent theoretical models and experimental observations can be achieved by introducing a correction for coefficients in the series expansion of susceptibility in powers of density and aggregation parameter. A modified equation for equilibrium susceptibility is offered to sum over corrections made by Kalikmanov (Statistical Physics of Fluids, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2001) and by B. Huke and M. Lucke (Phys. Rev. E 67, 051403, 2003). The equation gives good quantitative agreement with the experimental data in the wide range of temperature and magnetic particles concentration. It has been found that in some cases the magnetic fluid solidification occurs at temperature several tens of kelvins higher than the crystallization temperature of the carrier liquid. The solidification temperature of magnetic fluids is independent of particle concentration (i.e., magneto-dipole interparticle interactions) and dependent on the surfactant type and carrier liquid. This finding allows us to suggest that molecular interactions and generation of some large-scale structure from colloidal particles in magnetic fluids are responsible for magnetic fluid solidification. If the magnetic fluid contains the particles with the Brownian relaxation mechanism of the magnetic moment, the solidification manifests itself as the peak on the "susceptibility-temperature" curve. This fact proves the dynamic nature of the observed peak: it arises from blocking the Brownian mechanism of the magnetization relaxation.     

Sonochemical formation of iron oxide nanoparticles in ionic liquids for magnetic liquid marble

Ionic liquids (ILs)-stabilized iron oxide (Fe(2)O(3)) nanoparticles were synthesized by the ultrasonic decomposition of iron carbonyl precursors in [EMIm][BF(4)] without any stabilizing or capping agents. The Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles were isolated and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and susceptibility measurements. The physicochemical properties of ILs containing magnetic Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles (denoted as Fe(2)O(3)@[EMIm][BF(4)]), including surface properties, density, viscosity and stability, were investigated in detail and compared with that of [EMIm][BF(4)]. The Fe(2)O(3)@[EMIm][BF(4)] can be directly used as magnetic ionic liquid marble by coating with hydrophobic and unreactive polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for which the effective surface tension was determined by the puddle height method. The resulting magnetic ionic liquid marble can be transported under external magnetic actuation, without detachment of magnetic particles from the marble surface that is usually observed in water marble.     

Dynamic characterization of extremely bidisperse magnetorheological fluids

In this work, we investigate the stability and redispersibility of magnetorheological fluids (MRFs). These are disperse systems where the solid is constituted by ferro- or ferri-magnetic microparticles. Upon the application of external magnetic field, they experience rapid and reversible increases in yield stress and viscosity. The problem considered here is first of all the determination of their stability against sedimentation, an essential issue in their practical application. Although this problem is typically faced through the addition of thixotropic agents to the liquid medium, in this work, we propose the investigation of the effect of magnetic nanoparticles addition, so that the dispersion medium is in reality a ferrofluid. It is found that a volume fraction of nanoparticles not higher than 3% is enough to provide a long-lasting stabilization to MRFs containing above 30% iron microparticles. In the, in fact unavoidable, event of settling, the important point is the ease of redispersion of the sediment. This is indirectly evaluated in the present investigation by measuring the penetration force in the suspension, using a standard hardness needle. Again, it is found that the nanoparticles addition produces soft sediments by avoiding short-range attractions between the large iron particles. Finally, the performance of the designed MRFs is evaluated by obtaining their steady-state rheograms for different volume fractions of magnetite and different magnetic field strengths. The yield stress is found to be strongly field-dependent, and it can achieve the high values expected in standard magnetorheological fluids but with improved stability and redispersibility.     

Concentration dependence of magnetic field effects on the ethyl-cyanoethyl cellulose/dichoroacetic acid cholesteric phase

The effects of an external magnetic field with intensity 9.4 T on the cholesteric phase in ethylcyanoethyl cellulose (E-CE)C]/dichloroacetic acid liquid crystalline solutions were investigated for different concentrations. It was found that the diamagnetic anisotropy of (E-CE)C is negative and the effect of the magnetic field on the orientation of the cholesteric phase is influenced by the concentration of the solution, because the liquid crystalline properties of the solutions vary with the concentration.