Nanoparticles superficial density of charge in electric double-layered magnetic fluid: A conductimetric and potentiometric approach

We analyze potentiometric and conductimetric measurements simultaneously pe rformed on Electric Double-Layer Magnetic Fluid based on cobalt ferrite nan oparticles, in order to obtain the pH-dependence of the particle surface ch arge density. We propose a mechanism for the charging of the particle surfa ce. This model considers the ferrofluid solution as a mixture of strong and weak diprotic acids. We show how an exact analytical treatment involving p roton transfer between the particle surface and the bulk solution allows th e construction of a speciation diagram of the charged superficial sites. Th e saturation value of the superficial density of charge is found to be equa l to 0.326 +/- 0.065 C m(-2).