Influence of thermal treatment of nanometer-sized titanate and barium orthotitanate precursors on the electrorheological effect

The results for the sol-gel synthesis of acylate gels are reported in the titanium tetra-n-butoxide–barium hydroxide–acetic acid system at a molar ratio of Ba:Ti components of 1:1 and 2:1. The thermal decomposition of these gels over temperatures ranging from 85–1200$^\circ$C was investigated using thermal analysis methods, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and dielectrometry at frequencies from 25–106 Hz. The electrorheological effect in suspensions of powders synthesized at different temperatures with a stoichiometric Ba:Ti ratio = 1:1 and 2:1, in polydimethylsiloxane was studied. The influence of thermal gel treatment was analyzed on their dielectric properties as fillers of electrorheological fluids and on the magnitude of the electrorheological effect.