The electrorheological behavior of suspensions based on molten-salt synthesized lithium titanate nanoparticles and their core-shell titanate/urea analogues

This paper concerns the preparation of novel electrorheological (ER) materials using microwave-assisted synthesis as well as utilizing a suitable shell-providing system with enhanced ER performance. Lithium titanate nanoparticles were successfully synthesized, and their composition was confirmed via X-ray diffraction. Rheological properties were investigated in the absence as well as in the presence of an external electric field. Dielectric properties clarified the response of the particles to the application of an electric field. The urea-coated lithium titanate nanoparticle-based suspension exhibits higher ER performance in comparison to suspensions based on bare particles.European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); national budget of the Czech Republic within the framework of the project of the Centre of Polymer Systems [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0111]; TBU in Zlin [IGA/FT/2013/014