Shear-thickening behavior of modified silica nanoparticles in polyethylene glycol

Abstract

The surface of silica nanoparticles with an average diameter of 650 nm was modified by ball milling and chemical treatment with ethylene glycol (EG). The Fourier-transform infrared spectra and particle size analysis methods were used to characterize the modified silica nanoparticles. The morphologies of the silica nanoparticles before and after the different surface treatments were examined by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope. The rheological behaviors of modified silica suspensions in polyethylene glycol were studied by using Anton-paar 301 stress-controlled rheometer. The results of rheological tests indicated that the surface treatments had a great effect on increasing the maximum weight fraction of silica nanoparticles in Shear-thickening fluids, especially treated by the chemical method with EG. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012.