The magnetization properties of aggregated ferrofluids are calculated by combining the chain formation model developed by Zubarev with the modified mean-field theory. Using moderate assumptions for the inter- and intrachain interactions we obtain expressions for the magnetization and initial susceptibility. When comparing the results of our theory to molecular dynamics simulations of the same model we find that at large dipolar couplings $(\lambda >3)$ the chain formation model appears to give better predictions than other analytical approaches. This supports the idea that chain formation is an important structural ingredient of strongly interacting dipolar particles.

• Received 21 August 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.69.031206