Collidal study of magnetic nanoparticles using electromagnetic separation device

Magnetic separation device is designed to study the colloidal properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in solution. This device will be utilized in our current research work to separate complex conjugates of MNPs with actinide chelators from spent nuclear fuel. The preliminary measurements were conducted on static colloidal solution of MNPs using permanent magnets. It shows that the separation time of particles decay exponentially with magnetic field gradient which is consistent with the exponential growth of velocity. The drop in magnetization and change in size of particles by immobilization of functionalized group on the surface of particles increases the separation time. The physical characterization of MNPs is carried by Transmission electron microscopy, Dynamic light scattering, Zeta potential measurements, and magnetic study is performed using Vibrating sample magnetometer. The future study consists of separation of particles by passing the colloidal solution through the column held under the magnetic field gradient generated by an electromagnet. The parameters such as flow rate, field gradient, concentration, pH value of solution, and type of MNPs have been used to study the possible effect on separation time and removal efficiency of particles from solution. The removal percentage of particles from solution will be estimated by Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy.