In this study, we compare the characteristics of ferrogels prepared using γ-Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticles with ~ 20 nm diameter were distributed in N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) gel prepared using N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS), ammonium persulfate (APS) and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED). Particle distribution and agglomeration characteristics of the prepared ferrogels were investigated using ultra small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ferrogel samples prepared using Fe₃O₄ and γ-Fe₂O₃ particles have similar particle distribution. The ferrogels, prepared with γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, however, demonstrate significantly different agglomeration characteristics compared to the ferrogels prepared using Fe₃O₄. In both systems, the agglomerated particles appear to be spherical, with few of those indicating chain like structures. Based on the particle concentration and sizes, the DC SQUID magnetometry data of these samples showed the magnetic moments range between 0.9 to 2.5 emu/g. Details of our results and analysis are presented.

Date Published: 31 March 2009
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 7289, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2009, 72891D (31 March 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.817807

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7289:
Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2009
Zoubeida Ounaies; Jiangyu Li, Editor(s)