The preparation and electrorheological behavior of bowl-like titanium oxide nanoparticles.

He, Kai; Wen, Qingkun; Wang, Chengwei; Wang, Baoxiang; Yu, Shoushan; Hao, Chuncheng; Chen, Kezheng · Soft Matter · 2017

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Bowl-like titanium oxide nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a simple solvothermal method using absolute ethanol and isopropanol as the cosolvent. Ostwald ripening coupled with the inner-stress-induce effect were assumed to play an important role in the formation of this unique bowl-like morphology. The morphological evolution from solid nanosphere to bowl-like nanoparticle was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Besides, the structural characteristics of the as-synthesized TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, a rotational rheometer was operated to examine the electrorheological (ER) effect. Excellent ER properties were achieved when the TiO<sub>2</sub> particles were dispersed in silicone oil under an external electric field.