Influence of the Magnetic Interaction among Particles on Distributions of Magnetic Fluids Using Computer Simulations

Abstract

Magnetic fluid is a stable colloidal dispersion of ferromagnetic particles in a liquid carrier. Once a magnetic field is applied to magnetic fluids (MF), various structures of MF are formed. A detailed understanding of structures and particle distributions in gradient magnetic fields is much important. But very few works have been done on this. In the present study, the effects of magnetic field gradient and magnetic interaction among magnetic particles on the structures of MF are investigated using a two-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation. The results show that a gradient distribution of magnetic particles is formed under gradient magnetic fields. However, as the interaction between magnetic particles increases, the distribution gradient decreases, accompanied by the formation of chain-like clusters. Moreover, with increasing the magnetic interaction, particle distribution changes from grass-like clusters to needle-like ones.