Graphene nanoplatelets electrical networks as highly efficient self-heating materials for glass fiber fabrics

Abstract

Self-heating GNPs-based electrical networks were successfully obtained for their use in electrothermal applications. The electrical resistance of the GNPs-networks created on glass fiber fabrics was strongly dependent on fiber direction. The electrothermal response was fast and the maximum temperature was achieved in the system after ∼20 s. Increments in temperature above 80°C were obtained at the surface of the coated glass fiber fabric at relatively low intensity currents. Cyclic self-heating did not cause appreciable diminution in performance. Additionally, their potential application in evaluation of the quality of dispersion of the nanoreinforcement was demonstrated, as regions with lower contents in GNPs showed higher temperature due to weak links between GNPs located in highly conductive paths forming the electrical network.