Synthesis of Zinc Ferrite Ferrofluid and Investigation of its Rheology and Magnetic Properties

In this study, we first synthesized zinc ferrite nanoparticles by using co-precipitation method and adding zinc to iron ferrite in different amounts. Redistribution of Fe and Zn cations in tetrahedral and octahedral locations can significantly alter and increase saturation magnetization. The saturation magnetization of the synthesized ferrite nanoparticles was 57% higher than that of iron ferrite, and the nanoparticles had an average size of 35 nm. The synthesized nanoparticles were then functionalized using oleic acid and polyethylene glycol and three types of stable fluids based on water, engine oil and ethylene glycol were prepared. Optimal Ferro-fluid with the highest stability properties and amount of saturated magnetization was used to investigate the rheological properties. The non-Newtonian behavior of the fluid with different percentages of nanoparticles was investigated and the greatest change in behavior from the Newtonian state was related to the fluid with 15% by volume of nanoparticles.