Molecule-based electrorheological material, rare earth complex of β-cyclodextrin inclusion compound

► Molecule-based electrorheological (ER) material is a novel type of ER materials. ► Inclusion of rare earth complex markedly enhances ER activity of β-cyclodextrin. ► Relative shear stress of a suspension with to without an electric field reached 1297. ► Composition and structure are dominant factors in improving the ER activity.