Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation of small ferrogel objects

The microstructure of ferrogels (FG) is investigated with the aid of coarse-grained molecular dynamics. Small FGs samples are considered: about 100 magnetic nanoparticles placed in the nodes of a piece of a quasi-regular polymer mesh. The changes of internal configuration under variations of the intensity of interparticle dipolar interaction, concentration and temperature are monitored. The obtained results evidence that the radial distribution function is a sensitive indicator of self-organization of the magnetic nanoparticles in FGs, thus yielding a robust basis for interpretation of spectroscopic measurements. (C) 2014 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.