Measuring a large number of particles is essential to determine
the standard deviation of the distribution (σ) accurately. Note
that σ is the standard deviation of ln(D). Figures 2(a), (b)
and (c) show typical bright field TEM images for the samples
studied in this work. Figure 2(d) shows the particle size
distribution for each sample. The median particle size and
standard deviation for each distribution are summarized in
table 1. We note that the TEM images show a proportion of
elongated particles. This is a facet of the preparation process.
High resolution TEM imaging (not shown) indicates that the
elongated particles are not polycrystalline.
A PCS (Malvern Instruments Zetasizer) was used to
measure the hydrodynamic size distribution for each sample.
The viscosity of the colloids was measured at 27 ◦C using a
Wells-Brookfield cone and plate viscometer. Details of the
median hydrodynamic size (Dh) and the standard deviation of
the distribution (σh) as well as the viscosity (η) are summarized
in table 1.
Figure 3 shows the susceptibility loss peak given by
the complex part of the ac susceptibility (χ
) for the
samples dispersed in Isopar V. The position of the ac
loss peak varies over an order of magnitude depending
on the physical/hydrodynamic properties of the samples.
Interestingly, there is no monotonic variation of the position of
the peak with the median physical particle size. This highlights
the importance of the distribution of hydrodynamic sizes when
calculating susceptibility losses. The solid lines in figure 3 are
calculated fits from equations (8), (9) and (10). The calculation
of χ
(f ) from equation (8) used a value of χ0 measured for
each sample using an alternating gradient force magnetometer.
This data shows that for typical frequencies of ∼100 kHz used
in hyperthermia applications the susceptibility losses are due to
Brownian relaxation. It is well established that in these colloids
two susceptibility mechanisms occur as given by equations (1)
and (2). The volume dependence in these formulae indicates
that a transition from N´eel to Brownian reversal occurs at
∼8 nm depending on the viscosity of the colloid. At this size
the N´eel relaxation frequency is of the order of MHz and will
make little contribution at ∼100 kHz. This susceptibility loss