Citation: Jiayu Liu, Wenbo Liu, Wangbo Jiao, Mingli Peng, Haiming Fan. Adventure in the kingdom of ferrofluids: a brief analysis of properties and applications[J]. University Chemistry, ;2026, 41(7): 199-205. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202506040 shu

Adventure in the kingdom of ferrofluids: a brief analysis of properties and applications

Jiayu Liu ¹ ,
Wenbo Liu ² ,
Wangbo Jiao ¹ ,
Mingli Peng ^1,, ,
Haiming Fan ^1,,

1.
College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, Shaanxi Province, China;
2.
Faculty of liberal arts, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, Shaanxi Province, China

Corresponding author: Mingli Peng, Haiming Fan,
Received Date: 10 June 2025
Revised Date: 29 July 2025

Ferrofluids, alternatively termed magnetic fluids or ferromagnetic colloidal suspensions, consist of three essential components: magnetic nanoparticles, surfactants, and a carrier liquid. These magnetic nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed within the base fluid, granting ferrofluids an appearance indistinguishable from conventional liquids. However, when subjected to external magnetic fields, ferrofluids exhibit remarkable behavioral transformations that have captivated scientific curiosity and prompted extensive investigation. Employing an anthropomorphic narrative approach from a microscopic perspective, this article elucidates the principles underlying the colloidal stability of ferrofluids and their magnetically responsive behavior. Furthermore, it highlights representative applications of ferrofluids in daily life. Through engaging exposition, this work aims to provide readers with fundamental understanding of ferrofluids while fostering broader interest in the physicochemical properties of magnetic nanomaterials.
- Ferrofluids,
- Colloidal stability,
- Surfactants,
- Superparamagnetism
1. [1]
2. [2]
3. [3]
4. [4]
  J. Park, E. Lee, N.-M. Hwang, M. Kang, S.C. Kim, Y. Hwang, J.-G. Park, H.-J. Noh Dr, J.-Y. Kim, J.-H. Park, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2005, 117, 2932.
5. [5]
6. [6]
7. [7]
  A.H. Lu, E.L. Salabas, F. Schuth, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2007, 46(8), 1222.
8. [8]
9. [9]
  J.J. Atoche-Medrano, L. León-Felix, F.S.E.D.V. Faria, A.F.R. Rodríguez, R.M. Cunha, F.H. Aragón, M.H. Sousa, J.A.H. Coaquira, R.B. Azevedo, P.C. Mater. Chem. Phys. 2018, 207, 243.
10. [10]
  T.-I. Yang, R.N.C. Brown, L. Kempel, P. Kofinas, J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 2008, 320(21), 2714.
11. [11]
  J.P. Ge, Y.X. Hu, M. Biasini, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2007, 46(23), 4342.
12. [12]
  J. Unyong, X. Teng, Y. Wang, H.Y. Yang, Y.N. Xia, Adv. Mater. 2007, 19(1), 33.
13. [13]
14. [14]
15. [15]
16. [16]
1. [1]
  Yukai Jiang , Yihan Wang , Yunkai Zhang , Yunping Wei , Ying Ma , Na Du . Characterization and Phase Diagram of Surfactant Lyotropic Liquid Crystal. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(4): 114-118. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202309033
2. [2]
  Congying Lu , Fei Zhong , Zhenyu Yuan , Shuaibing Li , Jiayao Li , Jiewen Liu , Xianyang Hu , Liqun Sun , Rui Li , Meijuan Hu . Experimental Improvement of Surfactant Interface Chemistry: An Integrated Design for the Fusion of Experiment and Simulation. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(3): 283-293. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202308097
3. [3]
  Huiying ZHANG , Ping LI , Weixia DONG , Zhiwen HU , Qifu BAO , Qizheng DONG , Mingmin BAI , Wenqi LI . Photocatalytic performance of spheroidal nano Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ prepared by surfactant-assisted hydrothermal reaction. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2026, 42(3): 551-561. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250269
4. [4]
  Ziyao Liu , Xiaoli Ji , Wenwen Fu , Minhao Tang , Qian Zhao , Yahan Yang , Ying Ma , Hongguang Li . Surfactant-mediated sol preparation: an innovative design and teaching practice in physical chemistry experiments. University Chemistry, 2026, 41(6): 343-352. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202504006
5. [5]
  Yuanqingshan Yuan , Rui Li , Weiguang Zhao . The Science behind Milky White Lamb Soup: Exploring Colloidal Chemistry in Traditional Cooking. University Chemistry, 2026, 41(2): 314-322. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202503017
6. [6]
  Yongmin Zhang , Shuang Guo , Mingyue Zhu , Menghui Liu , Sinong Li . Design and Improvement of Physicochemical Experiments Based on Problem-Oriented Learning: a Case Study of Liquid Surface Tension Measurement. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(2): 21-27. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202307026
7. [7]
  Yi Fan , Zhuoqi Jiang , Zhipeng Li , Xuan Zhou , Jingan Lin , Laiying Zhang , Xu Hou . 偶极诱导液体门控可视化物质检测——化学“101计划”表界面性质应用实验新设计. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(8): 265-271. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202410061
8. [8]
  Jiaxi Xu , Yuan Ma . Influence of Hyperconjugation on the Stability and Stable Conformation of Ethane, Hydrazine, and Hydrogen Peroxide. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(11): 374-377. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202402049
9. [9]
  Wentao Xu , Xuyan Mo , Yang Zhou , Zuxian Weng , Kunling Mo , Yanhua Wu , Xinlin Jiang , Dan Li , Tangqi Lan , Huan Wen , Fuqin Zheng , Youjun Fan , Wei Chen . Bimetal Leaching Induced Reconstruction of Water Oxidation Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Activity and Stability. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(8): 2308003-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202308003
10. [10]
  Zhiquan YIN , Wenlong ZHEN , Xiaofeng NING , Zhengzhi HAN , Gongxuan LÜ . Mechanism of Al₂O₃ layer in enhancing the stability and activity of GaN for photocatalytic overall water splitting. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2026, 42(7): 1523-1533. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20260038
11. [11]
  Wang Wang , Yucheng Liu , Shengli Chen . Use of NiFe Layered Double Hydroxide as Electrocatalyst in Oxygen Evolution Reaction: Catalytic Mechanisms, Electrode Design, and Durability. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(2): 2303059-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202303059
12. [12]
  Shitao Fu , Jianming Zhang , Cancan Cao , Zhihui Wang , Chaoran Qin , Jian Zhang , Hui Xiong . Study on the Stability of Purple Cabbage Pigment. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(4): 367-372. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202401059
13. [13]
  Daming Zhang , Zhiwei Niu , Qiang Jin , Zongyuan Chen , Zhijun Guo . Eu(III)-硅酸盐胶体的制备与稳定性研究——一个由科研成果转化的放射化学综合实验的设计. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(6): 183-192. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202408058
14. [14]
  Xuyang Wang , Jiapei Zhang , Lirui Zhao , Xiaowen Xu , Guizheng Zou , Bin Zhang . Theoretical Study on the Structure and Stability of Copper-Ammonia Coordination Ions. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(3): 384-389. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202309065
15. [15]
  Xiaoning TANG , Junnan LIU , Xingfu YANG , Jie LEI , Qiuyang LUO , Shu XIA , An XUE . Effect of sodium alginate-sodium carboxymethylcellulose gel layer on the stability of Zn anodes. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(8): 1452-1460. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240191
16. [16]
  Yingtong Shi , Guotong Xu , Guizeng Liang , Di Lan , Siyuan Zhang , Yanru Wang , Daohao Li , Guanglei Wu . PEG-VN改性PP隔膜用于高稳定性高效率锂硫电池. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(7): 100082-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100082
17. [17]
  Xiaojing Tian , Zhichun Huang , Qingsong Zhang , Xu Wang , Ning Yang , Nanping Deng . PNIPAm Thermo-Responsive Nanofibers Mats: Morphological Stability and Response Behavior under Cross-Linking. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(4): 2304037-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202304037
18. [18]
  Yawen Guo , Dawei Li , Yang Gao , Cuihong Li . Recent Progress on Stability of Organic Solar Cells Based on Non-Fullerene Acceptors. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(6): 2306050-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202306050
19. [19]
  Jing SU , Bingrong LI , Yiyan BAI , Wenjuan JI , Haiying YANG , Zhefeng Fan . Highly sensitive electrochemical dopamine sensor based on a highly stable In-based metal-organic framework with amino-enriched pores. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(7): 1337-1346. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20230414
20. [20]
  Xuewei BA , Cheng CHENG , Huaikang ZHANG , Deqing ZHANG , Shuhua LI . Preparation and luminescent performance of Sr_1-xZrSi₂O₇∶xDy³⁺ phosphor with high thermal stability. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(2): 357-364. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240096

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(104)
HTML views(17)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142