Efficient use of heating systems is necessary from an environmental and economic perspective. This work analyses the Joule effect and the thermal transport properties of carbon nanofibers dispersed in ethylene–glycol aligned by applying a constant AC electric field. We tested several weight fraction concentrations from 0.1 % to 1 % wt of carbon nanofibers. The evolution of temperature and electric current as a function of time was analyzed. The amount of heat generated was quantified using Joule's law equation, and we estimated the thermal conductivity as a function of the concentration before and after the voltage application. The dependence of the temperature increase on the concentration of carbon nanofibers and electric voltage was investigated. Our work explores the viability of using carbon nanofiber dispersed in ethylene glycol in developing intelligent fluids useful for heat generation and release, with applications in heat management systems, such as those used for deicing.
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