| Abstract: | In this study, well-dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used for the development of semiconducting cementitious materials with high electrical to thermal energy conversion ability. The heating rate and electrothermal efficiency of mortars reinforced with CNTs at amounts of 0.05-0.2 wt% of cement were investigated by applying AC, over a frequency range of 1mHz-1 MHz. The results indicate that the nanoengineered mortars exhibit a sufficient for deicing heating rate of 0.24 oC, and high dissipation energy and dielectric loss tangent values that ensure electrical to thermal energy conversion efficiency. We found that the electrothermal sensitivity is greatly affected by the dispersion state of nanotubes and nanofibers: Results from spectroscopic experiments confirmed a correlation between the energy dissipation and dielectric loss tangent values and the capacitive phase of the nanoreinforced mortars. |