Preparation of graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol microcomposites and their thermal conducting properties

Abstract

In this article, we report the fabrication of graphene oxide (GO)/polymer composite structures that may be candidates for use as effective heat dissipation materials. GO was well dispersed in aqueous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solutions; anisotropic fiber structures of GO/PVA composites were then prepared by freeze-drying under controlled freezing conditions. GO was well dispersed in the microfiber structures of PVA, and morphologies of the GO/PVA composite structures could be controlled through the concentration of the starting solution, the freezing temperature, freezing rate, and direction of the freeze. Thermal conducting properties were found to depend on the morphology of the composite structures and the content of GO. Anisotropic thermal conductivity was found for some structures.