Synthesis and electrorheological properties of hierarchical and core-shell MoS2@TiO2 nanocomposite

Abstract

MoS2@TiO2 nanocomposite with core-shell and hierarchical structure was synthesized using a simple and effective two-step method. First, 3D radically oriented MoS2 nanospheres were initially synthesized using a simple and convenient hydrothermal method to provide a large surface and active site for the uniform TiO2 growth on MoS2. Then, the structure, morphology, composition and electrorheological (ER) properties were characterised using an X-ray powder diffractometer, Fourier infrared spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope with an attached energy-dispersive spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ER rheometer. The MoS2@TiO2 nanocomposite was dispersed into insulating silicone oil to form an ER fluid at a concentration of 10 ​wt %, which shown an enhanced ER efficiency by combining the useful of two dimensional MoS2 multistage structures and coating TiO2 shell to control conductivity. The large dielectric constant mismatch and short relaxation time of ER fluid was observed, which resulted in the creation of multiple polarizations and enhanced ER properties.