Organosilicon elastomers of MWCNTs and nano-sized metals for heating purposes

Abstract

Silicone elastomers are continuously gaining importance in a variety of industrial applications, including strain gauges, electrical heaters, electromagnetic interference, and electrostatic discharge protection coatings. But these materials have certain drawbacks such as high cost, poor resistance to solvents, low tear strength, limited high-temperature resistance, difficulty in bonding and limited abrasion resistance. Therefore, unique nanocomposites of organosilicon elastomers with metals have been prepared using MWCNTs. The prepared nanocomposites demonstrated nano-diameter structures (15–60 nm) with micron-sized fibrous structures (12–60 μm). Aluminum elongated inclusions (60 µm in size) and bronze spherical inclusions (12–30 µm) were observed in the nanocomposites. The composites containing MWCNTs, Co-Mo/Al2O3-MgO catalyst and bronze (3 wt. %) had the maximum thermal and electrical conductivity. The prepared nanocomposites were used to make the heaters. The heating of the heaters was carried out by applying a voltage of 12–24 V. The Highest temperature achieved was more than 50 °C in all the heaters. By supplying 12–24 V electricity to the heaters in the ventilation and heat recirculation system, the interior of a minibus or living space can be heated. The developed electric heater has another important economic application in temperature-controlled materials.