Viscoelastic characterization of semiconducting dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid doped polyaniline electrorheological suspensions

Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA)-doped polyaniline particles were synthes ized via emulsion polymerization, and electrorheological (ER) fluids were p repared by dispersing the synthesized polyaniline particles in silicone oil . The viscoelastic properties of DBSA-doped polyaniline/silicone ail ER sys tems were examined using a vertical oscillation rheometer (VOR), which is d esigned for the rheological measurement of ER fluids, with a high voltage g enerator. Viscoelastic data obtained from the VOR were compared with those obtained from a commercial Physica rotational rheometer. The data from VOR were quite reliable in a broad range of both strain and frequency. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.