Magnetically induced electrokinetic phenomena in the surface layers of zirconia nanoparticles

Abstract

Electrokinetic processes on the surface of zirconia nanoparticles induced by a weak (105−106 A/m) pulsed magnetic field (PMF) are investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry. It is established that the charge state of the surface layer of nanoparticles and the binding energy of adsorbates on the surface change significantly after PMF treatment. It is shown that the total conductivity of nanoparticles and the activation energy of water-molecule desorption from the surface decrease by a factor of almost 2 at a pulse frequency of 1 Hz. It is concluded that there is a space-charge region near the nanoparticle surface which is involved in the formation of chemical bonds with adsorbed molecules.