Electrorheological properties of suspensions of polypyrrole coated titanate nanorods

Abstract

The behaviour of silicone-oil suspensions of titanate nanorods coated with polypyrrole base in electric field has been investigated. Unlike suspension of globular particles of neat polypyrrole, rod-like particles show a stronger electrorheological (ER) effect corresponding to high rigidity of the structure. A great influence of the oil viscosity on the ER efficiency was observed. A good reproducibility of the effect and a fast response to the switchingon and -off the electric field has been confirmed by monitoring the time course of shear stress under controlled shear rate.