Self-Healing and Joule Heating of Electrically Conductive CNT/BIIR Composite Films

This study offers a facile, scalable, and cost-efficient route for the fabrication and repair of a conductive elastomer. Uniform CNT dispersion within the BIIR matrix was obtained through a solution-assisted process by using optimized solvent and dispersant combinations. The resulting CNT/BIIR composites achieved a minimum sheet resistance of 3.33 ± 0.20 Ω/sq and an electrical conductivity of 3.93 ± 0.23 S/cm. Upon electrical stimulation, the composites generated rapid heat through the Joule effect, reaching a maximum temperature of 194 °C, which enabled electrical stimulus-induced self-healing after physical damage. Posthealing, the mechanical and electrical properties recovered to 69 and 354% of their original values, respectively. Furthermore, a solution-spraying repair approach facilitated the effective restoration of electrical pathways and maintained uniform heating performance on curved substrates.