(342e) Magnetic Surfactant Surface Tension Functionality Vs. Magnetic Field Gradients

Literature reports that magnetic surfactants with magnetic-metal halides undergo a reduction in surface tension when exposed to magnetic fields with field strength gradients. We tested the hypothesis that the magnitude of the reported responses are dominated by an artificial magnetic gravity effect instead of a change in surface energy of the aqueous system. To test our hypothesis, we studied the behavior of magnetically responsive surfactants at the air-water interface using a shape-dependent pendant drop method in parallel magnetic fields. This research showed that the magnitude of the magnetic surfactant’s response to external magnetic fields depends upon the gradients in the field strength. By utilizing a parallel magnetic field with negligible field strength gradients, the effects of artificial gravity on drop shape are mitigated, so the change in surface tension is a result of the magnetic field alone. To gain insights into surfactant behavior on the molecular level we quantified the response of the magnetic surfactants both experimentally and using Ferrohydrodynamic energy models. We plan on using these insights in the design of magnetic driven separation processes.