Atomic force microscopy and magnetization investigation of a water-based magnetic fluid

Abstract Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and magnetization measurements were used to unfold the particle-size polydispersity profile of a magnetite-based magnetic fluid sample. The sample preparation and the experimental conditions used to obtain the AFM image are described. The differences found in both the average diameter ( D m ) and particle-size dispersion ( σ ) values obtained from the two techniques are discussed.