Synthesis and electrorheological characterization of polyaniline and Na+-montmorillonite clay nanocomposite

Polyaniline-Na+-montmorillonite nanocomposite particles were synthesized using an emulsion intercalation method, and electrorheological (ER) fluids were produced by dispersing the synthesized nanocomposite particles in an electrically-insulating silicone oil. The emulsion of an aniline monomer with dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid was inserted into the layers of clay, and polymerization was processed by adding the oxidant initiator solution. DBSA as a emulsifier and a dopant took a important role for polyaniline clay nanocomposite. This insertion of polyaniline was confirmed by Xray diffraction. To observe its ER properties, we measured the shear viscosity and the shear stress by controlling shear rate. Furthermore, we conducted dynamic tests to investigate the viscoelastic properties of the ER fluid under an electric field in the linear viscoelastic region.