Heating performance, fabrication, and characterization of functional electrothermal heaters built from cellulose

Abstract

Cellulose-based electrothermal heaters combine a cellulose substrate with a heat generator to transform electrical energy into heat via the Joule effect and offer the benefits of biodegradability, flexibility, low cost, and excellent mechanical properties. Considering the ever-increasing demand for sustainable materials, clean energy, and comfortable heating, cellulose-based electrothermal heaters are considered promising solutions. This review discusses the latest developments in different types of cellulose-based multifunctional electrothermal heaters, methods of fabrication (dip coating, vacuum filtration, spray coating, screen printing, stamping, drawing, wet spinning, freeze-drying, hot-press, and solution casting), and the characterization techniques used to evaluate their multifunctional aspects such as electromagnetic interference shielding, durability, and hydrophobicity.