Year 12 student Maya Y got underway with her EPQ practical investigation this week. Maya is aiming to make a ferrofluid – a colloidal liquid that is attracted to the poles of a magnet. The attraction is caused by nanoscale ferromagnetic particles suspended within a carrier fluid.

Careful calculations and precision in measurements were essential as Maya began her work. She weighed out samples of hydrated iron (II) chloride and hydrated iron (III) chloride and made standard solutions. She then mixed them in the correct ratio and finally reacted them with concentrated ammonia.

Maya must now leave her solution for a week before separating the magnetic precipitate. She will then add oleic acid, her carrier fluid, and a surfactant to allow the magnetic particles to disperse.