Real-time observation of electrorheological fluids using synchrotron X-ray imaging

Experiments performed using the novel technique of real-time microradiography with coherent X-rays provided clear experimental evidence of the “fibrilization” phenomenon of electrical conductive microspheres between a copper microelectrode (anode) and platinum plate (cathode) in electrorheological fluids under an applied voltage (about 2 kV/mm). The surface-conductive polymeric microspheres were prepared by the adsorption of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the surface of poly(methylmethacrylate) microspheres (6.5 μm). We also observed the process of MWCNT adsorption on the polymeric microspheres in the MWCNT dispersion containing surfactants and the assembly of MWCNTs-coated microspheres during their sedimentation in real-time by microradiography.