Cost-effective and highly efficient surface heating elements using high thermal conductive carbon fibers

Carbon fiber (CFs)-based surface heating papers (CFPs) have received considerable attention due to their excellent electrical and thermal conductivities in heating elements. We describe the fabrication of CFPs by wet-laid process using heat-treated polyacrylonitrile-based CFs and a dispersing agent comprising methylcellulose with high hydroxyl groups and anionic poly (acrylic acid). The electrical and thermal conductivities of chopped CFs were enhanced to 1314.9 S/cm and 153.8 W/mK, respectively, by thermal treatment at 2700 °C. In heating performance testing, CFP-2700 demonstrated an excellent electrical heating temperature of 105.5 °C along with a high heat output of 3788 W/m² at 7 V. In addition, the CFPs were more efficient compared to commercially available one-dimensional Ni-Cr wire heating elements. We believe that CFPs can be used as lightweight heating elements in various industries.