Preparation and electrorheology of new mesoporous polypyrrole/MCM-41 suspensions

A new nanocomposite based on conducting polypyrrole in confined MCM-41 channels and its ER behavior was synthesized. Self-assembly of conducting polymer within the channels of mesoporous silica is one of the ways to prepare new nanostructured materials. The resulting materials may have unique nanostructures and properties controlled by host-guest interactions and new potential applications, such as in nano-scale electronic, optical devices and electroorheological (ER) fluids. The presence of PPy in the channels of MCM-41 was confirmed by different techniques and the IR spectrum for PPy/MCM-41 showed the characteristic peaks of PPy. The image of PPy/MCM-41 also revealed that the incorporation of PPy chains does not destroy the ordered structure of the channels. The shear stress, in the presence of an electric field, increased quickly and a yield behavior was observed. The changes suggested that the PPy/MCM-41 fluid displays a notable ER behavior.