Dehydrochlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) was synthesized and electrorheological (ER) properties of its suspension in silicone oil were investigated. The structure of the dehydrochlorinated PVC is polyacetylene-like and has relatively long polyene sequences. It shows electric conductivity in the order of 10-8 S/cm without any doping process.
The synthesized polymer was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Elemental analysis. Rheological measurements were carried out using a rotational rheometer with high voltage generator in both constant shear stress and rate modes. Suspensions of the synthesized PVC particles in silicone oil showed a substantial ER response.
