Aggregate stability and magnetic characteristics of colloidal Fe$_{m}$O$_{n}$–SiO$_{2}$ particles obtained by sol–gel method

Composite Fe$_{m}$O$_{n}$–SiO$_{2}$ particles have been obtained by precipitation of iron oxide from aqueous solution with the addition of tetraethoxysilane. The shapes and sizes of separate single particles and their aggregates have been determined by scanning electron microscopy. Changes in the stability of the colloidal suspension due to external magnetic field and the addition of NaCl have been evaluated. Based on magnetization curves obtained on a vibrating-sample magnetometer and characteristics calculated within the theoretical model of magnetostatically interacting particles, it is shown that the composite particles are superparamagnetic.