Preparation and Characterization of Silicone and Fluorine-Oil-Based Ferrofluids

Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized by adding an ammonium hydroxide to a mixed solution of iron (II) and (III) chlorides. A silicon surfactant of α,ω -(3-aminopropyl)polydimethylsiloxane was adsorbed on the particles as dispersant and a polydimethylsiloxane polymer was used to prepare ferrofluids of silicone oil base. Fluorinated surfactants of anionic ammoniated perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide and nonionic fluoroaliphatic polymeric esters were applied to the particles and a perfluoropolyether was used to prepare ferrofluids of fluorine oil base. The experimental conditions were used for preparing the ferrofluids with concentrations of 200, 300 and 400 mg/mL, and density, magnetization and viscosity of the products were characterized. The density values increased in proportion to the concentration, indicating 1.11-1.27 g/mL for silicone-oil-based fluids and 1.95-2.10 g/mL for fluorine-oil-based fluids in the range of 200-400 mg/mL. The saturation magnetization of the silicone-oil-based and fluorine-oil-based fluids indicated 14.7, 24.4, and 30.7 mT and 15.8, 23.3, and 33.7 mT for 200, 300, and 400 mg/mL, respectively, depending on the content of magnetic particles in the fluid. The viscosity of the silicone-oil-based ferrofluids was highly stable compared to that of the fluorine-oil-based with increasing temperatures. The ferrofluids are usually applied to seals and speakers with the silicone base and to seals with the fluorine base.