Electrically induced reversible viscosity change in hectorite aqueous dispersion under an AC electric field

Changes of viscosity in stevensite aqueous dispersions with application of an electric field of the order of a few V/mm

“…The electrically induced shear stress, i.e., the magnitudes of the stress increase of stevensite and hectorite (Kimura et al, 2013(Kimura et al, , 2014 aqueous dispersions at E and E eff = 8 V/mm, is compared in Fig. 4.…”

“…This suggests a mechanism by which, when an electric field is applied, hectorite in water forms a network-like structure. An AC electric field (0.001-0.004 Hz) was favorable to being able to reverse the viscosity when the electric field was removed (Kimura et al, 2014). In the case of a DC electric field, a gel-like film adhered to the positive electrode, which caused an incomplete recovery of the viscosity.…”