High-Performance and Rapid-Response Electrical Heaters Based on Ultraflexible, Heat-Resistant, and Mechanically Strong Aramid Nanofiber/Ag Nanowire Nanocomposite Papers

High-performance and rapid response electrical heaters with ultraflexibility, superior heat resistance, and mechanical properties are highly desirable for the development of wearable devices, artificial intelligence, and high-performance heating systems in areas such as aerospace and the military. Herein, a facile and efficient two-step vacuum assisted filtration followed by hot-pressing approach is presented to fabricate versatile electrical heaters based on the high-performance aramid nanofibers (ANFs) and highly conductive Ag nanowires (AgNWs). The resultant ANF/AgNW nanocomposite papers present ultraflexibility, extremely low sheet resistance (minimum R-s of 0.12 Omega/sq), and outstanding heat resistance (thermal degradation temperature above 500 degrees C) and mechanical properties (tensile strength of 285.7 MPa, tensile modulus of 6.51 GPa with a AgNW area fraction of 0.4 g/m(2)), benefiting from the partial embedding of AgNWs into the ANF substrate and the extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions. Moreover, the ANF/AgNIV nanocomposite paper-based electrical heaters exhibit satisfyingly high heating temperatures (up to similar to 200 degrees C) with rapid response time (10-30 s) at low AgNW area fractions and supplied voltages (0.5-5 V) and possess sufficient heating reliability, stability, and repeatability during the long-term and repeated heating and cooling cycles. Fully functional applications of the ANF/AgNW nanocomposite paper-based electrical heaters are demonstrated, indicating their excellent potential for emerging electronic applications such as wearable devices, artificial intelligence, and high-performance heating systems.