Dynamics of nanoparticle agglomeration in a magnetic fluid in a varying magnetic field

Abstract

It is found that the dependence of the magnetic nanoparticle agglomerate length in a magnetic fluid on the applied magnetic field has three characteristic segments: a substantial increase in the agglomerate length with the magnetic field in the range of weak fields, a segment with an insignificant increase in the average length of agglomerates upon an increase in the field, and a sharp increase in the agglomerate length with a further increase in the field. It is shown that the agglomerate length increases in the range of strong magnetic fields due to a decrease in the spacing between adjacent agglomerates down to their complete coalescence. The total number of agglomerates decreases thereby.