Enhanced PTC Effect in Polyamide/Carbon Black Composites

Self-heating nanocomposites with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) provide outstanding potential for a broad range of engineering applications in automobile, spacecraft, or smart building. Therefore, extensive studies have been carried out to understand thermo-electrical behavior. However, some controversies remain, especially on the material composition, to clarify influencing factors on the PTC performance. In this study, the thermo-electrical behaviors of injection molded carbon black (CB)/polyamide (PA) nanocomposites have been investigated. Three types of CB with well-defined specific surface area and polyamides with high and low crystallinity were selected to provide a guideline for self-heating devices including PTC-Effects. Significantly reduced specific resistances up to 2.7 Omega.cm were achieved by incorporating CB with a high specific surface area into a highly crystalline PA. Noticeable PTC-Effects of similar to 53% and average surface temperatures up to 147 degrees C have been observed due to self-heating, which confirms a promising material performance as a heating device.

Automated summary

Self-heating nanocomposites with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) have great potential for various engineering applications. This study investigated the thermo-electrical behaviors of injection molded CB/PA nanocomposites and found that combining high specific surface area CB with highly crystalline PA can significantly reduce specific resistances and generate noticeable PTC effects with high surface temperatures.