Electrorheological response of polyaniline-TiO2 composite suspensions

As an organic/inorganic hybrid possessing advantages from the combination of their own unique properties, conducting polyaniline (PANI)-titanium dioxide (TiO2) hybrid particles were synthesized by an oxidation polymerization of aniline, and their ER characteristics were examined. Our aim was to study the ER behavior of highly potential ER-active particles using conducting polymer and TiO2 nanoparticle with relatively high dielectric constant. In addition, we also investigated its ER behavior as a function of particle fraction of TiO2 under an applied electric field. The result was interpreted in terms of the dielectric relaxation mismatch. The fast relaxation time of PANI/TiO2 hybrid was considered to enhance electrostatic force over shear force under a hydrodynamic flow, showing its improved ER performance.