Study of Electrophoresis Process in Magnetic Colloids by Magnetic Methods

Abstract

Electrokinetic phenomena play a vital role in the study of colloidal nanoparticles, offering significant insights and applications across a wide range of fundamental research and practical uses. It is crucial to recognize the extensive research on various types of nanomaterials, including polymer latexes, quantum dots, and biomolecules. However, there is a significant gap in the study of magnetic systems. Such materials have immense potential and can greatly benefit from both magnetophoretic and electrophoretic techniques. In this work, the electrophoretic behavior of water-based magnetic fluids was investigated, focusing on how additional magnetic field exposure affects their properties. The studies conducted utilized magnetic measurements that emerged from the presence of colloidal particles within the examined systems, which exhibited both charge and magnetic moment. The magnetic susceptibility and magnetization of colloidal particles precipitate formed on one of the electrodes were measured. The thickness of the formed precipitate on the electrode can be confidently estimated through micrometric measurements as well as by analyzing its magnetic susceptibility during electrophoresis. A formula for calculating the electrophoretic velocity based on the results of magnetic measurements was obtained. Estimates of zeta potential and charge of colloidal particles were carried out. The electrophoresis process in these systems can be effectively regulated by an inhomogeneous magnetic field, leading to complete compensation.