Preparation and Properties of Nano-Crystalline Cellulose Electro-Rheological Fluid

nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was prepared from micro-crystalline cellulose (MCC) by strong acid hydrolysis. The characteristics of such particle were studied by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Electro-rheological fluids (ERF) were prepared by dispersing NCC and MCC in methyl-silicone oil, and their ER effects were measured. Experimental results indicated that NCC ERF exhibited a remarkable ER effect. The highest static shearing stress of NCC ERF (3.5 g/ml) was 5.1 kPa at the room temperature under a 4 .2 kV/mm electric field, increased about 5.5 times compared to MCC ERF, and sedimentation of NCC ERF was not observed even after 60 days.