Morphology, chemical composition, and magnetic properties of arc discharge Fe–C soot

Abstract

The present research aims of elaborating a new manufacturing technology of magnetic nanoparticles for ferrofluid applications. Composite Fe–C anode sputtering in a low-pressure arc discharge has been used to produce Fe-containing nanoparticles on a carbon matrix. The chemical composition and size distribution function of iron containing nanoparticles have been measured. The sizes of Fe-containing nanoparticles are of 3–12 nm: chemical composition includes iron and iron carbide. It was shown that the powder is a superparamagnetic material. The stable ferrofluid, based on synthesised magnetic nanoparticles on a carbon matrix in water with nonoxynol-9 as surfactant, has been manufactured. The value of saturation magnetization on the level of 30 KA/m has been obtained.