Synthesis and electrorheological characterization of polyaniline/barium titanate hybrid suspension

As organic/inorganic composites having attracted much attention due to their heterogeneous physical properties, conducting polyaniline (PANI) and barium titanate (BaTiO3) which possesses large electronic resistance and excellent dielectric strength, were utilized to synthesize PANI/BaTiO3 hybrid which is applicable for an electrorheological (ER) material via 'in-situ' oxidative polymerization. Physical properties of the obtained PANI/BaTiO3 composites were characterized via Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ER behaviors were investigated via a rotational rheometer, and their shear stresses were fitted using our previously proposed rheological equation of state.