Halloysite nanotubes: Prospects in electrorheology

Abstract

Electrorheological fluids based on polydimethylsiloxane filled with halloysite nanotubes were studied. The filler structure was characterized by TEM, SEM, and X-ray diffraction. When an electric field is applied to suspensions, their rheological behavior changes – the contribution of the elastic component becomes significant and samples behave like a solid body. The effect of the electric field and filler concentration on the electrorheological behavior was investigated. The influence of water content on the filler structure, as well as on electrorheological and electrophysical properties of suspensions, was considered. Electrorheological fluids filled by halloysite with small water content exhibit slightly higher rheological characteristics under an electric field than dried ones. This study shows the prospects of using halloysite nanotubes as a dispersed phase for electrorheological fluids.

Keywords

• Rheology
• Electrorheological fluid
• Halloysite nanotube
• Electron microscopy
• X-ray diffraction