Implementation of functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes on magnetorheological elastomer

This work studies the effects of loading various functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (carboxyl, -COOH-MWCNTs) on the morphological and the field-dependent rheological properties of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs). A new type of MRE, which is reinforced by various loading from 0 to 1.5 wt% of COOH-MWCNT, is fabricated and experimentally investigated. The morphology of COOH-MWCNT and MRE with COOH-MWCNTs is characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the COOH-MWCNTs are well embedded and dispersed randomly in the MRE structures. The rheological properties under different magnetic fields are evaluated using parallel plate rheometers. The influence of COOH-MWCNT content on the viscoelastic performance of the MRE is systematically investigated. It is found that when a higher content of COOH-MWCNT (up to 1.0 wt%) is added in the MRE, the MRE exhibits a higher MR effect of up to 17.5%. It is also shown that COOH-MWCNT acts as a reinforcing agent that leads to an enhancement in MR performance.