Ferrofluids

Creating A Magnetic Liquid Know as Ferrofluid. Justin McKenzie
The Purpose of this lab was to attempt to create a fluid that retains magnetic properties. A sample of Iron powder and Corn Syrup was used as a "dummy sample" to show how when particles are simply mixed together they will only appear to be magnetic for a second until the power separates completely from the oil and leaves both substances in their previous state. To make true Ferrofluid several reactions would have to take place. The first reaction that was needed was to produce the Nano-particles necessary for the Ferrofluid. To do this Iron (2) Chloride and Iron (3) Chloride were broken apart by Hydrochloric Acid. When both of these samples were completely solute then they were mixed together along with ammonium hydroxide (under a fume hood) and produced nanometer sized particles of Iron Oxide, a highly magnetic substance. The excess fluids were drained from the container while the particles were held in place by a magnet under the bottom of the container. The next step was to mix a Surfactant, Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide, into the Iron Oxide using a glass stirring rod. The glass stirring rod was necessary as the magnetic stir bar would attract particles and become stuck to them. Once the substance was very thoroughly mixed the excess fluid was removed from the container in the same previous method. The substance leftover was an inky black oil known as Ferrofluid. This substance could be moved around with a magnet through a thin surface and spiked when the magnet was the proper distance away.Though the substance was not entirely ferrofluid as particles of iron still could be seen it was mostly ferrofluid and retained the properties that were expected to happen. If more time was available along with a larger amount of components more of the partial ferrofluid could be made and purified by using filter paper to remove the iron particles not part of the ferrofluid. Though not perfect the substance created in this lab could be identified as ferrofluid.

PHOTOGRAPHS
Dummy Sample Mixed Dummy Sample separated using magnet Dummy sample separated (side view) Ferrofluid being magnetized Better Picture of Ferrofluid's spikes Bigger sample with spikes clearly shown

Flinn Scientific, INC. CHEM FAX!, Ferrofluid Nanotechnology Demonstration Catalog No. AP7118. Publication No. 7118