Conductive polymeric composites (CPC) incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon fibers (CF) offer promising potential in self-heating applications due to their superior electrical and thermal properties. This study investigates the synergistic effects of CNT and CF on the electrical conductivity and heat-generation capabilities of CNT/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposites. Three CF lengths (0.1 mm, 3 mm, and 6 mm) were systematically evaluated to establish hierarchical conductive networks. The incorporation of 6 mm CF into CNT/PDMS composites resulted in a 72% increase in electrical conductivity compared to composites with 0.1 mm CF. Despite these enhancements in electrical performance, the heat-generation capabilities, based on simulations and experimental validation, showed minimal dependence on CF length. A micromechanics-based numerical approach was used to compare and validate the experimental findings, identifying limitations in current analytical models, especially in predicting the heat-generation behavior.

Heat-generation capability of CNTPDMS nanocomposites with different CF lengths: experimental and numerical approaches
    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Experimental procedure
    3 Test results
        3.1 Electrical characteristics
        3.2 Self-heating capability
    4 Numerical modeling and analysis
        4.1 Micromechanics-based model
        4.2 Comparison of experimental and theoretical results
        4.3 Self-heating capability analysis
    5 Conclusion
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Ermias Shimelis(School of Civil Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae‑Ro, Seowon‑Gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, South Korea)
• Jinho Bang(School of Civil Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae‑Ro, Seowon‑Gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, South Korea)
• Jongwon Jung(School of Civil Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae‑Ro, Seowon‑Gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, South Korea)
• Beomjoo Yang(School of Civil Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae‑Ro, Seowon‑Gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, South Korea) Corresponding author
• Daeik Jang(Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA)