Synthesis and electrorheological performances of 2D PANI/TiO2 nanosheets

Two-dimensional (2D) structured nanosheets of Polyaniline/Titanium dioxide (PANI/TiO2) composites were synthesized and characterized. Electrorheological (ER) fluids of as-synthesized composites dispersed in silicone oil were prepared, the ER performances were investigated. The results showed that the as-synthesized composites are 2D structured PANI coated TiO2 nanosheets with the thickness of 2.7 nm, the suspension of 5 wt% particle concentration shows very low off-field viscosity and enhanced ER performances. Rheological analysis and dielectric analysis indicated that 2D nanosheets composites presented good polarizability and polarization rate in silicone oil under external electric field, and the polarized particles can form chain, column even 3D network structures to resist the shear force, which contributed to enhanced ER performances.