Fabrication of ammonium persulfate coated silica microsphere via chemical grafting and its electrorheology

Silica/ammonium persulfate (APS) microspheres were fabricated by coating APS on the surface of 2 mu m sized silica particles and applied as a candidate for electrorheological (ER) materials. The morphologies of these particles were observed by SEM. Chemical compositions and structure of the particles were confirmed by EDS and FT-IR. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to examine the amount of APS coating on the silica particles. A 10 vol% ER fluid based on the fabricated particles was prepared by dispersing them into hydroxyl group-terminated silicone oil. Typical ER properties were obtained using a rotational rheometer under an applied electric field at a controlled shear rate test. These properties were also correlated with its dielectric spectra.