LAUSR

Peanut shaped TiO2 micro-particles were prepared by using the huge energy of the plasma and controlling the Ti(SO4)2 concentrations in aqueous solutions via a one-step method, cathode plasma electrolysis (CPE). The morphology and structure of the micro-particles were characterized, and the tiny nanostructures about 3~10 nm were obtained on their surface, which obviously increased their surface roughness and specific surface area. These peanut shaped TiO2 particles with nanostructures on their surface were considered to be formed by the collision of two molten TiO2 particles and then the sharply cooling in Ti(SO4)2 solution. Most of all, the electrorheological (ER) behaviors of the peanut shaped TiO2 micro-particles were characterized using a rotational rheometer. Compared with the traditional TiO2 powders, the better ER effect of the peanut shaped micro-particles was attributed to their unique shape and special surface nanostructures.