Rheological investigations on the theoretical predicted “Poisoning” effect in bidisperse ferrofluids

Interparticle interactions in ferrofluids especially the influence of small particles on the agglomeration behaviour of large particles were the topic of numerous theoretical predictions and simulations as well as of experimental investigations. In this context the “Poisoning” effect describes the decrease of the magnetoviscous effect in the presence of small particles in a bidisperse model fluid. In order to examine this effect rheological experiments have been carried out by means of a specially designed rheometer, which allows measurements under the influence of an applied magnetic field. We were able to synthesize ferrofluids with a narrow particle size distribution containing only small or large cobalt ferrite nanoparticles, which were mixed to receive various bidisperse fluid samples. With these fluids changes of the viscous behaviour in a magnetic field have been measured and compared according to their individual compositions.