Abstract
Magnetic fluids, also called ferrofluids, are binary liquids consisting of magnetic nanoparticles being dispersed in a carrier liquid. They show very
strong thermodiffusive behaviour with a Soret coefficient (ST) of approximately 0.16 K-1 without a magnetic field. The dependence of
the Soret coefficient on a magnetic field can lead to even higher values, and to a change in the coefficient's sign. This change in the direction of
movement of the nanoparticles strongly affects the onset of thermomagnetic convection. A linear stability analysis reveals that thermodiffusion with a
positive sign of the Soret coefficient enhances the onset of convection, whereas negative coefficients starting at about -0.001 K-1 suppress
convection at all.
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