Polydimethylsiloxane Elastomers Filled with Rod-Like α-MnO2 Nanoparticles: An Interplay of Structure and Electrorheological Performance

Abstract

For the first time, electroactive nanocomposite elastomers based on polydimethylsiloxane and filled with rod-like α-MnO2 nanoparticles have been obtained. The curing of the filled elastomer in an electric field, resulting in the ordering of the α-MnO2 particles, had a significant effect on the degree of polymer crosslinking, as well as on the electrorheological characteristics of the nanocomposites obtained through this process, namely the values of the storage and loss moduli. The dielectric spectra of filled elastomers in the frequency range 25–106 Hz were analysed in terms of interfacial relaxation processes. It has been shown, for the first time, that the application of an electric field leads to a decrease in the value of the Payne effect in composite elastomers. Analysis of the rheological effect in the obtained materials has demonstrated the possibility of designing highly efficient electrorheological elastomers that change their elastic properties by 4.3 times in electric fields of up to 2 kV/mm.

Effect of Cross-Linking Density on Non-Linear Viscoelasticity of Vulcanized SBR: A MD Simulation and Experimental Study

“…The results revealed that the polymer matrix next to CB particles can accelerate the reconstruction of the filler–polymer network, thereby enhancing the reversibility of the Payne effect [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. CB, along with other fillers, such as spherical [ 15 , 16 , 17 ] and fibrous [ 18 , 19 , 20 ], have excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, which significantly affects Payne effect improvement. Experimental research can satisfactorily explain the Payne effect of mixed rubber filling.…”