Electromagnetic modulation of conductance and susceptance in electrical devices based on silicone oil with polypyrrole–magnetite particle composites

Abstract

This study investigates the fabrication and characterization of innovative electrical devices (EDs) subjected to an alternating electric field in the presence of static electric and magnetic fields. The EDs contain suspensions of silicone oil (SO) and micrometric aggregates of polypyrrole nanotubes decorated with various mass fractions of magnetite nanoparticles (PPyM). Our experimental findings and theoretical analyses demonstrate that the conductance and susceptance of these EDs can be coarsely adjusted by altering the mass ratios of magnetite to polypyrrole. Fine control of these electrical properties is achieved through the application of electric and magnetic fields superimposed on the alternating electric field. The findings reveal the dual responsiveness of the EDs at small values of electric and magnetic field intensities. A theoretical model is proposed that provides a qualitative description of the physical mechanisms governing the behavior of the EDs under these field conditions. Thus, the results contribute to advancing the understanding of electromagnetorheological phenomena at the microscale in this type of ED, highlighting the potential of PPyM composites dispersed within an SO matrix, in the development of sophisticated micromachines with dynamically controllable features under varying external conditions.