Magnetic flux alignment studies on entrapped ferrofluid nanoparticles in poly vinyl alcohol matrix

Highly surface active super paramagnetic colloidal suspensions of nano crystalline ferrofluid have been synthesized through wet-chemical route. Entrapment of magnetic domains presented in the nano ferrofluid in a polymer matrix like poly vinyl alcohol film was accomplished by developing polymer composite film in between two magnetic poles by solvent casting method. Similarly poly vinyl alcohol-ferrofluid composite films were also developed in the absence of magnetic field. Atomic force microscopy image of nano-composite film makes it clear that the film developed in the absence of magnetic field possesses randomly oriented domains, whereas film developed with magnetic field shows well aligned flux lines. The characteristics and nature of forces acting between magnetic domains along the magnetic flux lines were explored from magnetic force microscopy imaging. The number of flux lines developed in the polymer matrix was observed to be directly proportional to applied external magnetic field. Approximate number of magnetic lines passing through unit area of composite film was evaluated from line profile data analysis of atomic force microscopy image. The particle sizes of the nanoparticles encapsulated in the polymer matrix were found to be in the range of 10-20nm. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs confirm aggregation of ferrofluid particles of ribbon like morphology along the magnetic flux lines. Magnetic properties of the entrapped nanoparticles in polymer matrix film were analyzed using vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature. The super paramagnetic nature and other magnetic properties were evaluated from the hysteresis loop.