Joule heating characteristics of emulsion-templated graphene aerogels

Abstract

The Joule heating properties of an ultralight nanocarbon aerogel are investigated with a view to potential applications as energy-efficient, local gas heater, and other systems. Thermally reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aerogels (10 mg cm-3) with defined shape are produced via emulsion-templating. Relevant material properties, including thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and porosity, are assessed. Repeatable Joule heating up to 200°C at comparatively low voltages (≈1 V) and electrical power inputs (≈2.5 W cm-3) is demonstrated. The steady-state core and surface temperatures are measured, analyzed and compared to analogous two-dimensional nanocarbon film heaters. The assessment of temperature uniformity suggests that heat losses are dominated by conductive and convective heat dissipation at the temperature range studied. The radial temperature gradient of an uninsulated, Joule-heated sample is analyzed to estimate the aerogel's thermal conductivity (around 0.4 W m-1 K-1). Fast initial Joule heating kinetics and cooling rates (up to 10 K s-1) are exploited for rapid and repeatable temperature cycling, important for potential applications as local gas heaters, in catalysis, and for regenerable of solid adsorbents. These principles may be relevant to wide range of nanocarbon networks and applications.