Methods for producing an electrically conductive material, electrically conductive material and emitter containing electrically conductive material

A method for manufacture of an electrically conductive material, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a carbon fiber;
• b) providing a plastic fiber that differs from the carbon fiber;
• c) producing a mixture in a form of a two-dimensional mat from the carbon fiber and the plastic fiber;
• d) drying the mixture, optionally;
• e) consolidating the mixture;
• f) cutting the mixture to size, optionally;
• and
• g) carbonizing the mixture, wherein the carbonized plastic fibers form a carbon-based matrix possessing electrical conductivity that at least partially surrounds the carbon fibers.

An electrically conductive material comprising a composite that contains:

• a) a first carbon fiber and a further carbon fiber;
• and
• b) a matrix that partly surrounds the first carbon fiber and the further carbon fiber each, wherein the electrical conductivity of the matrix is lower than that of the carbon fibers;
• wherein, with respect to a sectional plane through the composite, of a total number of carbon fibers extending through the sectional plane, more than 20% of the carbon fibers extending through the sectional plane do not contact any other carbon fiber extending through the same sectional plane.