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Ferrofluid

In this activity we will synthesize ferrofluid with nano Fe3O4. The materials are inexpensive and easy to find. Students can experiment with different shapes and strengths of magnets.

Uploaded by

Kyle Rieth
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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80 views2 pages

Ferrofluid

In this activity we will synthesize ferrofluid with nano Fe3O4. The materials are inexpensive and easy to find. Students can experiment with different shapes and strengths of magnets.

Uploaded by

Kyle Rieth
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ferrofluid with Nano Fe3O4

Introduction

Ferrofluids are highly viscous fluids made up of aqueous magnetite (Fe3O4).


Ferrofluids are used in medicine and industry, and because they exhibit such unique
physical properties they make a great classroom demonstration.

Commercial ferrofluids can be rather expensive to purchase, so this activity was


developed so that students can inexpensively make their own vial of ferrofluid. The
materials are inexpensive and easy to find. In this activity we will synthesize ferrofluid
with nano Fe3O4.

Material

Iron oxide nanopowder

Water Glass (Sodium Silicate)

Test tube with lid

Digital scale

Eye dropper

Magnet

To Do and Notice

1. Carefully measure out 1 g of iron oxide nanopowder on the digital scale and
place in a test tube.
2. Using the eyedropper drop 5 mL sodium silicate into the test tube a few drops
at a time while swirling the test tube with your other hand. You might need to
add a little water to get a good solution.
3. Allow the solution to sit for 45 minutes
4. Place a strong magnet on the side of the beaker to hold the suspension in
place and decant the liquid of off the surface.
5. The remaining liquid is ferrofluid.

Jill Johnsen
Exploratorium Teacher Institute

© 2006 Exploratorium, all rights reserved


What’s Going On?

Nanoparticles tend to agglomerate (clump together), so a deflocculant or a dispersing


agent is needed. Sodium silicate, also known as water glass, is a deflocculant. It
separates the nanoparticles and keeps them in suspension giving the ferrofluid a
flowing gelatinous texture.

The surface area to volume ratio is important here, and that is why nano magnetite is
used. Really small particles remain in suspension in the fluid, because surface tension
overcomes the effects of gravity.

With this ferrofluid, students can see first hand the effects of a magnetic field on
matter. They can experiment with different shapes and strengths of magnets to
visualize the physical properties of the ferrofluid.

Where to Purchase Materials

Iron oxide nanopowder can be purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, www.sigma-


aldrich.com Phone: 1-800-521-8956. Material No. 637106 Iron (II,III) Oxide
Nanopowder, 98%.

Water glass, or sodium silicate can be purchased at a local hardware store.

This activity is based on a journal article from L. M. Stuber et al., The Chemical Educator,
Vol. 10, No. 3, 2005.

Jill Johnsen
Exploratorium Teacher Institute

© 2006 Exploratorium, all rights reserved

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