Electrorheological Effect of Gold Nanoparticles Coated with Fluorescent Mesogenic Groups Dispersed in Nematic Liquid Crystal

The electrorheological (ER) properties of composite materials consisting of a nematic liquid crystal (LC) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs) coated with bistolane-based mesogenic groups were studied. The GNPs were coated by normal alkyl chains and the fluorescent LC compounds, of which the molecular structure was similar to that of the LC matrix. The dispersity of the GNPs in the nematic LC was investigated by polarizing optical microscopy (POM). In order to improve the ER effect of the composite, a simple strategy was investigated from the viewpoint of a material design in surface-modified GNPs by lateral substitution of the mesogenic groups. The presence of the GNPs in the nematic LC led to a slightly enhanced ER effect compared to that observed for only the nematic LC. This study demonstrates the potential of a hybrid system consisting of LCs and GNPs to yield a larger ER effect.

Experimental investigations on electrorheological properties of lubricating oils containing ionic liquid. Part 2. Testing in dielectric spectroscopy

The paper presents the results of investigations of two mixtures and their ingredients i.e. base insulating oils and ionic liquids as electrically active additives using, so called, dielectric spectroscopy. In part 1 of the study [1], the ER effect was found in both mixtures when they were subjected to an external constant electric field with the intensity of E ≤ 0.2 kV·mm–1. However, the electrorheological effect was short-lived and unique on the same liquid sample, which suggested significant changes in its internal structure. Using the HP 4192 A Hewlett Packard impedance analyzer, the variability of their dielectric constans (), as well as the resistance (R) and the conductivity (σ), as a function of the frequency (f) of the constant electric field BIAS-u (DC) was assessed for different values of the applied voltage (U). Repeated tests were also carried out on the same samples of mixtures to observe how the originally applied BIAS field affects the further behavior of the liquid in the electric field. Based on the results of the research, the basis for confirming the symptoms of changes in the internal structure of mixtures, resulting, from the action of an external electric field, leading to the disappearance of the ER effect was obtained. In order to recognize the mechanism of disappearance of the ER effect, in situ microscopic tests of the prepared mixtures, subjected to an external electric field, will be carried out. Keywords: electrorheological effect, lubricating oils, ionic liquids, dielectric spectroscopy

Description and visualization of the highly dynamic behavior of the electrorheological effect

When an electrorheological fluid is located between two electrodes and an electrical voltage is applied to them, the particles in the fluid move and form chains along the electric field lines. This phenomenon is called the electrorheological effect. The exact behavior of the particles has not yet been studied completely. Some optical investigations of particle motion or behavior have been performed, but did not take into account the high dynamic range directly after the application of an electric field. This study is intended to help explain how the particles behave when they encounter an electric field and then try to align themselves with it. There is an investigation into how these chains develop in a microchannel within milliseconds. For this purpose, the particle behavior of the electrorheological fluid is investigated with high dynamic imaging using a microscope. A high-speed camera records videos of the first milliseconds at 3000 fps synchronously with the application of an electric field. The results provide a better understanding of the chain formation and particle behavior of the electrorheological effect in the high dynamic range and can be used for the design of electrorheological applications as well as simulations of the particle movement.