Dielectric, Electrorheological Efficiency and Creep‐Recovery Characteristics of Vibration Damping Industrial Hemp Fiber/Polyaniline Composite

ABSTRACT In this study, a new green hybrid composite of industrial hemp fiber (IHF) and polyaniline (PAn) conducting polymer is fabricated by following the principles of green chemistry. IHF, PAn, and the optimized composition of 50 wt.% IHF/PAn composite are characterized by various techniques to identify their structural, morphological, thermal, and electrical properties. Additionally, the dielectric and electrorheological (ER) behaviors of IHF/PAn/silicone oil (SO) dispersions are studied to reveal the dielectric characteristics and ER mechanism to optimize some of the parameters, such as the optimum concentration of dispersions and content of IHF in IHF/PAn composites. The highest electric field induced polarizability and shear stress value were obtained for 15 wt.% IHF/SO dispersion. Moreover, dielectric and ER measurements of the IHF/PAn/SO system revealed that the more reasonable polarizability (Δ ε ′ = 1.3), relaxation time ( λ = 8.4 × 10 −5 s) and the highest ER efficiency (ER eff = 202) are achieved for the 50IHF/50PAn/SO system. Similarly, the highest critical yield stress ( τ c = 210 Pa), electric field induced elastic modulus ( G ′ = 200 kPa) and creep‐recovery value (92%) are determined for 50IHF/50PAn/SO. It was concluded that the 50IHF/50PAn/SO composite system shows green, smart, and synergistic electroactive vibration damping capability and may be a good candidate for potential industrial applications.