Control of chemical reaction involving dissolved oxygen using magnetic field gradient

This study investigated the control of dissolved oxygen concentration using magnetic forces from gradient magnetic fields near a Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet. Maximum values of magnetic flux density and the product of the magnetic flux density and its gradient were 0.63 T and 44 T(2)/m, respectively. The magnet was placed under a Petri dish filled with 15 ml of 10% ammonia water. The Petri dish had a copper sheet in the center. Absorbance of tetraamminecopper(II) complex produced by the reaction in oxygen was measured using a spectrophotometer to observe oxygen concentration. Results showed that the magnetic field quantitatively enhanced tetraamminecopper(II) complex production. Moreover, remarkable enhancement of the copper complex production occurred in the magnetic field at less than 2 mm depth. The calculated magnetic force increase near the magnet surface supports this result. These results show that greater enhancement of the reaction rate occurs when the stronger magnetic force acts on oxygen molecules. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.