Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and magnetization measurements were used to u
nfold the particle-size polydispersity profile of a magnetite-based magneti
c fluid sample. The sample preparation and the experimental conditions used
to obtain the AFM image are described. The differences found in both the a
verage diameter (D-m) and particle-size dispersion (sigma) values obtained
from the two techniques are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All r
ights reserved.