New Approach to Enhance the Yield Stress of Electro‐Rheological Fluids by Polyaniline‐Coated Layered Silicate Nanocomposites

We synthesized new polyaniline (PANI)/organoclay (aminosilane surface‐treated) nanocomposite particles and prepared electro‐rheological (ER) fluids by dispersing the particles in silicone oil. A distinct enhancement in yield stress was observed due to the presence of PANI‐coated clay particles. The effects of delaminated clay on the ER yield stress were investigated and compared with other ER fluid systems, which use PANI particles only or a simply intercalated PANI/clay nanocomposite.