Strong electrorheological effect of surface-modified titania nano-particles

The SDS-modified titania nano-particles were prepared by the sol-gel method, which showed the good oleophilicity and the strong ER effect. The average size of the spherical modified particles is about 100 nm. The wettability curve slope of modified particles was as five times as that of unmodified particles. With the improvement of dispersing and contact state, the ER fluid showed the best ER effect and its static yield stress was over 130 kPa when its particle concentration was 3.0 g/ml under 4 kV/mm DC. Furthermore, this ER fluid was also found to show excellent suspended stability. The particles with nano-scale size and good wettability to the oil medium are importance for the strong ER effect.