Facile synthesis of hierarchically structured flower-like Fe3O4 microspheres for high-performance magnetorheological fluids

Significant Improvement in Magnetorheological Performance by Controlling Micron Interspaces with High Permeability Submicron Particles

The shear yield strength, sedimentation stability and zero-field viscosity of magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) are crucial for practical vibration damping applications, yet achieving a balanced combination of these performances remains challenging. Developing MRFs with excellent comprehensive performance is key to advancing smart vibration damping technologies further. Theoretically, incorporating a multiscale particle system and leveraging synergistic effects between their can somewhat enhance MRFs' performance. However, this approach often faces issues such as insignificant increases in shear yield strength and excessive rise in zero-field viscosity. In response, this study employs a DC arc plasma method to synthesize a high magnetic permeability, low coercivity submicron FeNi particles, and further develops a novel CIPs-FeNi bidisperse MRFs. The introduction of submicron FeNi particles not only significantly enhances the shear2019 yield strength of MRFs under low magnetic fields but also promotes improvements in sedimentation stability and redispersibility without excessively increasing viscosity. Comprehensive performance analysis is conducted to explore the optimal content ratio, and detailed mechanisms for the enhancement of performance are elucidated through analysis of parameters such as chain-like structure, magnetic flux density and friction coefficient. Most importantly, the superior comprehensive performance combined with straightforward fabrication methods significantly enhances the engineering applicability of the CIPs-FeNi bidisperse MRFs.

Stable Magnetorheological Fluids Containing Bidisperse Fillers with Compact/Mesoporous Silica Coatings

A drawback of magnetorheological fluids is low kinetic stability, which severely limits their practical utilization. This paper describes the suppression of sedimentation through a combination of bidispersal and coating techniques. A magnetic, sub-micro additive was fabricated and sequentially coated with organosilanes. The first layer was represented by compact silica, while the outer layer consisted of mesoporous silica, obtained with the oil–water biphase stratification method. The success of the modification technique was evidenced with transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The coating exceptionally increased the specific surface area, from 47 m2/g (neat particles) up to 312 m2/g, which when combined with lower density, resulted in remarkable improvement in the sedimentation profile. At this expense, the compact/mesoporous silica slightly diminished the magnetization of the particles, while the magnetorheological performance remained at an acceptable level, as evaluated with a modified version of the Cross model. Sedimentation curves were, for the first time in magnetorheology, modelled via a novel five-parameter equation (S-model) that showed a robust fitting capability. The sub-micro additive prevented the primary carbonyl iron particles from aggregation, which was projected into the improved sedimentation behavior (up to a six-fold reduction in the sedimentation rate). Detailed focus was also given to analyze the implications of the sub-micro additives and their surface texture on the overall behavior of the bidisperse magnetorheological fluids.

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.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Experimental Studies of the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Silicone Oil/Functionalized Ionic Liquid-Based Magnetorheological Fluid

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are smart materials that show enormous potential in vibration control, mechanical engineering, etc. However, the effects of the solid-liquid interface strength and the interaction strength between carrier liquid molecules on the mechanical properties and sedimentation stability of MR fluids have always been unresolved issues. This work presents a new type of MR fluid that has a novel carrier liquid, i.e., silicone oil (SO) mixed with a hydroxyl-functionalized ionic liquid (IL-OH). An all-atomic Fe/SO/IL-OH interface model for studying the relationship between mechanical properties and interface strength and intermolecular interactions is established. On the basis of simulation results and theoretical analyses, the mechanical properties and sedimentation stability of the SO/IL-OH-based MR fluids are thoroughly investigated by experiments. The results show that functional ionic liquids significantly improve the mechanical properties and sedimentation stability of MR fluids. These results are essentially attributed to the stronger solid-liquid interface strength, van der Waals forces, and hydrogen bonds between the silicone oil and the functional ionic liquid. The explicit results not only help elucidate the numerous phenomena involved in the research process for MR fluids at the atomic scale but also provide insightful information on the fabrication of high-performance MR fluids.

The Effect of Sr-CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles with Different Particles Sized as Additives in CIP-Based Magnetorheological Fluid

This study investigated the effect of adding strontium (Sr)-doped cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) nanoparticles in carbonyl iron particle (CIP)-based magnetorheological fluids (MRFs). Sr-CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were fabricated at different particle sizes using co-precipitation at calcination temperatures of 300 and 400 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used to evaluate the morphology of the Sr-CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, which were found to be spherical. The average grain sizes were 71-91 nm and 118-157 nm for nanoparticles that had been calcinated at 300 and 400 °C, respectively. As such, higher calcination temperatures were found to produce larger-sized Sr-CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. To investigate the rheological effects that Sr-CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles have on CIP-based MRF, three MRF samples were prepared: (1) CIP-based MRF without nanoparticle additives (CIP-based MRF), (2) CIP-based MRF with Sr-CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles calcinated at 300 °C (MRF CIP+Sr-CoFe₂O₄-T300), and (3) CIP-based MRF with Sr-CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles calcinated at 400 °C (MRF CIP+Sr-CoFe₂O₄-T400). The rheological properties of these MRF samples were then observed at room temperature using a rheometer with a parallel plate at a gap of 1 mm. Dispersion stability tests were also performed to determine the sedimentation ratio of the three CIP-based MRF samples.

Core-Shell Structured Magnetite-Poly(diphenylamine) Microspheres and Their Tunable Dual Response under Magnetic and Electric Fields

Core-shell type poly(diphenylamine)-coated magnetite (Fe₃O₄-PDPA) microspheres were designed and adopted as a novel actively tunable smart material which is responsive under both electric and magnetic fields. Their morphology, chemical structure, crystalline structure, and thermal properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and a thermal gravimetric analyzer. Their magnetic and dielectric properties were determined using vibrating-sample magnetometer and an LCR meter, respectively. They were dispersed in silicone oil and their electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) responses under the electric and magnetic fields, respectively, were examined. The formation of chain structure of Fe₃O₄-PDPA based E/MR fluid under the application of electric field or magnetic field was observed by an optical microscopy and the sedimentation stability was observed by a Turbiscan optical analyzer system. It was observed that the yield stress, ER efficiency, and leakage current density increased with an increase in the particle concentration, while the slope of the electric field-dependent yield stress decreased. Several models such as the Bingham model, Herschel-Bulkley model, and Cho-Choi-Jhon equations were used to describe the shear stress curves of the ER fluid; the curves fitted well. For the dielectric properties, the two types of ER fluids tested displayed the same relaxation time and distribution; however, the one with the higher concentration had a higher dielectric constant and polarizability. The Fe₃O₄-PDPA based MR fluid (10 vol %) exhibited typical MR properties. In addition, the Herschel-Bulkley model matched well with the shear stress curves under a magnetic field.

Surface-initiated mechano-ATRP as a convenient tool for tuning of bidisperse magnetorheological suspensions toward extreme kinetic stability

Magnetic NPs grafted via mechano-ATRP served as a powerful agent for enhancing performance and stability of magnetorheological suspensions.

The intrinsic microstructure of supramolecular hydrogels derived from α-cyclodextrin and pluronic F127: nanosheet building blocks and hierarchically self-assembled structures

Supramolecular hydrogels derived from the self-assembly of α-cyclodextrin with pluronic F127 were found to be built up with polypseudorotaxane nanosheets with a thickness of 30-40 nm and possessed flower-like hierarchically assembled structures. The findings in this work could provide critical guidance for material design for biomedical purposes.

Bio-Inspired Passion Fruit-like Fe3O4@C Nanospheres Enabling High-Stability Magnetorheological Performances

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids have been successfully utilized in versatile fields but are still limited by their relatively inferior long-term dispersion stability. Herein, bio-inspired passion fruit-like Fe₃O₄@C nanospheres were fabricated via a simple hydrothermal and calcination approach to tackle the settling challenge. The unique structures provide sufficient active interfaces for the penetration of carrier mediums, leading to preferable wettability between particles and medium oils. Compared with the bare Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle suspension, the resulting Fe₃O₄@C nanosphere-based MR fluid exhibits desirable stability and relatively low field-off viscosity even at a high particle concentration up to 35 vol %.

Nanoparticles Functionalized by Conducting Polymers and Their Electrorheological and Magnetorheological Applications

Conducting polymer-coated nanoparticles used in electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids are reviewed along with their fabrication methods, morphologies, thermal properties, sedimentation stabilities, dielectric properties, and ER and MR characteristics under applied electric or magnetic fields. After functionalization of the conducting polymers, the nanoparticles exhibited properties suitable for use as ER materials, and materials in which magnetic particles are used as a core could also be applied as MR materials. The conducting polymers covered in this study included polyaniline and its derivatives, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), poly(3-octylthiophene), polypyrrole, and poly(diphenylamine). The modified nanoparticles included polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), silica, titanium dioxide, maghemite, magnetite, and nanoclay. This article reviews many core-shell structured conducting polymer-coated nanoparticles used in ER and MR fluids and is expected to contribute to the understanding and development of ER and MR materials.