Neutron and Synchrotron Radiation Scattering by Nonpolar Magnetic Fluids

Abstract

The complex approach (which comprises different physical methods, including neutron and syn- chrotron radiation scattering) is justified in the structural analysis of magnetic fluids (MFs). Investigations of MFs based on nonpolar organic solvents with magnetite nanoparticles (2–20 nm in size) coated by various monocarboxylic acids have been performed. It is shown that the use of saturated linear acids with various alkyl chain (C12–C18) lengths instead of unsaturated oleic acid (alkyl chain C18 with a kink in the middle due to the double bond in the cisconfiguration) in the classical stabilization procedure for the given type of magnetic fluids leads to a decrease in the mean size and polydispersity of nanoparticles in the final systems.