Enhanced thermal conductivity of PVDF by filling with T‐ZnOw and MWCNT based on hybrid 3D network

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, a novel approach is taken to enhance the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of composites by developing highly efficient thermally conductive PVDF‐based composites. This is developed by incorporating tetra‐pod zinc oxide whiskers (T‐ZnOw) in conjunction with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to form binary hybrid fillers within a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. Polydopamine (PDA), characterized by physical adsorption, is selected for surface coating on T‐ZnOw since T‐ZnOw is easy to self‐agglomerate and difficult to modify by physical and chemical methods. The coating aims to improve the dispersibility of T‐ZnOw and reduce the interfacial thermal resistance with the substrate. MWCNT is oxidized to improve its dispersion ability while strengthening the interaction with the matrix, due to the absence of interaction between MWCNTs and polymer matrix and poor dispersibility with the matrix. The dispersity of PDA@T‐ZnOw and o‐MWCNT is improved, and the three‐dimensional hybrid network structure can be better constructed to improve the thermal conductivity of the composite membrane. At a filler content of 25 wt%, the thermal conductivity reaches 0.302 W m−1 K−1 for T‐ZnOw–MWCNT–PVDF and 0.222 W m−1 K−1 for PDA@T‐ZnOw–o‐MWCNT–PVDF.