Dual Electrorheological and Magnetorheological Behaviors of Poly(N-Methyl Aniline) Coated ZnFe₂O₄ Composite Particles

Magnetic/conducting polymeric hybrid core-shell typed zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄)/poly(N-methyl aniline) (PMA) particles were fabricated and adopted as electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids, and their rheological properties were examined. Solvo-thermally synthesized ZnFe₂O₄ was coated with a conducting PMA through chemical oxidation polymerization. The size, shape, and chemical composition of the final core-shell shaped particles were scrutinized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. The crystal faces of the particles before and after coating with PMA were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The ZnFe₂O₄/PMA products were suspended in silicone oil to investigate the rheological response to electro-or magnetic stimuli using a rotating rheometer. The shear stresses were analyzed using the CCJ equation. The dynamic yield stress curve was suitable for the conductivity mechanism with a slope of 1.5. When magnetic fields of various intensities were applied, the flow curve was analyzed using the Hershel–Bulkley equation, and the yield stresses had a slope of 1.5. Optical microscopy further showed that the particles dispersed in insulating medium form chain structures under electric and magnetic fields. Via this core-shell fabrication process, not only spherical conducting particles were obtained but also their dual ER and MR responses were demonstrated for their wide potential applications.