Polymer-clay nanocomposite particles with polyaniline (PANI) and Na+-montmo
rillonite (MMT) were synthesized using an emulsion intercalation method and
then adopted for electrorheological (ER) fluids by dispersing the synthesi
zed nanocomposite particles in silicone oil. Insertion of the PANI into the
layer of clay was examined by X-ray diffraction, which confirmed that the
conducting PANI polymer chain was aligned with the layers of clay. Dodecyl
benzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) adopted as both an emulsifier and a dopant was
found to play an important role for PANI-clay nanocomposite, affecting cond
uctivity of the nanocomposite particles and their ER properties. Furthermor
e, ER fluids composed of PANI-clay composite were observed to exhibit typic
al ER behavior with higher static yield stresses under an applied electric
field.