Abstract
The thermal conductivity of particulate nanocomposites is strongly dependent on the size, shape, orientation and dispersion uniformity of the inclusions. To correctly estimate the effective thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite, all these factors should be included in the prediction model. In this paper, the formulation of a generalized effective medium theory for the determination of the effective thermal conductivity of particulate nanocomposites with multiple inclusions is presented. The formulated methodology takes into account all the factors mentioned above and can be used to model nanocomposites with multiple inclusions that are randomly oriented or aligned in a particular direction. The effect of inclusion dispersion non-uniformity is modeled using a two-scale approach. The applications of the formulated effective medium theory are demonstrated using previously published experimental and numerical results for several particulate nanocomposites.
Highlights
The process of heat conduction is treated using the classical Fourier’s law. Fourier’s law is widely applied, its application to systems with characteristic lengths comparable to or lower than the mean-free-path of the energy carriers leads to large errors in any or all variables in the system such as the thermal conductivity, temperature and the temperature gradient [1]
The generalized effective medium theory (EMT) formulated in the current work was applied to three particulate nanocomposites, Ge–Si composites, alumina–conductivities nanotube (CNT) composites and aluminum–CNT composites, to study the effect of nanometer-sized inclusions on the effective thermal conductivity of the composites
The results showed that the effective thermal conductivity of Ge–Si nanocomposites is significantly lower than the thermal conductivities of Si and Ge
Summary
The process of heat conduction is treated using the classical Fourier’s law. An effective medium theory (EMT) for the estimation of thermal conductivity of composites with dilute concentrations of inclusions of different shapes was presented by Nan and coworkers [9]. The application of the models mentioned above nanocomposites can lead significant medium theory approach discussed above include the to limitation of using inclusions of to regular errors shapes, in the predicted effective thermal conductivity. Minnich and used modified values of matrixand andwas inclusion extended by Ordonez-Miranda and coworkers [19] In their approach, thermal conductivities in Nan and coworkers’ EMT for spherical inclusions and found good agreement modified thermal conductivities of the matrix and inclusions are first calculated and used in the between the effective thermal conductivities predicted by the modified EMT and Monte Carlo effective medium theory. Non-uniformly distributed inclusions—current work (inclusion sizes are not to scale)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
