Magnetic filtration of phase separating ferrofluids: From basic concepts to microfluidic device

In this work, we briefly review magnetic separation of ferrofluids composed of large magnetic particles (60nm of the average size) possessing an induced dipole moment. Such ferrofluids exhibit field-induced phase separation at relatively low particle concentrations (∼0.8vol%) and magnetic fields (∼10kA/m). Particle aggregates appearing during the phase separation are extracted from the suspending fluid by magnetic field gradients much easier than individual nanoparticles in the absence of phase separation. Nanoparticle capture by a single magnetized microbead and by multi-collector systems (packed bed of spheres and micro-pillar array) has been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Under flow and magnetic fields, the particle capture efficiency Λ decreases with an increasing Mason number for all considered geometries. This decrease may become stronger for aggregated magnetic particles (Λ∝Ma−1.7) than for individual ones (Λ∝Ma−1) if the shear fields are strong enough to provoke aggregate rupture. These results can be useful for development of new magneto-microfluidic immunoassays based on magnetic nanoparticles offering a much better sensitivity as compared to presently used magnetic microbeads. •Field-induced phase separation enhances magnetic separation efficiency.•Magnetic separation efficiency is a decreasing function of Mason number.•Shear-induced rupture of particle aggregates decreases the separation efficiency.•Nanoparticle microfluidic separation is a promising technique for immunoassays.