Our group has recently demonstrated low frequency (1-200 MHz) and low power (&lt;100 W) radio frequency (RF) heating of carbon nanomaterial-loaded structures such as thin films and polymer nanocomposites using an array of contact and non-contact applicators. These heating techniques opened up routes for faster and efficient composite manufacturing, 3D printing, and fiber processing. It is known that electrical conductivity is required for RF heating of carbon-based nanomaterials. However, it is not well understood how RF heating rates vary with conductivity and if the pattern is generalizable for all types of RF susceptor-loaded structures. In this work, we use experiments and simulations to explore the universal patterns observed between RF heating rates and in-plane electrical conductivity for thin films made of carbon nanotubes, laser-induced graphene, and carbon nanofiber-polyamide composites. We also investigate existence of similar patterns in chirality-sorted single-walled carbon nanotube thin films. Finally, we show a novel RF heating-based high-throughput quality screening technique for printed carbon nanotube circuits.

Universal patterns of radio frequency heating of carbon nanomaterials and composites

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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