Dielectric properties of magnetorheological elastomers with different microstructure

Composite materials containing magnetic particles organised within the polymer matrix by the means of an external magnetic field during the curing process were prepared, and their dielectric properties were compared with their isotropic analogues of the same filler concentration but homogeneous spatial distribution. A substantial dielectric response observed for anisotropic systems in a form of relaxation processes was explained as charge transport via the mechanism of variable range hopping. The changes in registered relaxations' critical frequency and shape of dielectric spectra with the filler concentration were discussed in terms of decreasing anisotropy of the system. The knowledge of the dielectric response of studied systems is essential for their practical applications such as piezoresistive sensors or radio-absorbing materials. Published by AIP Publishing.