Abstract
In this study, the thermal percolation behavior for the thermal conductivity of nanocomposites according to the lateral size of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) was studied. When the amount of GNPs reached the critical concentration, a rapid increase in thermal conductivity and thermal percolation behavior of the nanocomposites were induced by the GNP network. Interestingly, as the size of GNPs increased, higher thermal conductivity and a lower percolation threshold were observed. The in-plane thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite containing 30 wt.% M25 GNP (the largest size) was 8.094 W/m·K, and it was improved by 1518.8% compared to the polymer matrix. These experimentally obtained thermal conductivity results for below and above the critical content were theoretically explained by applying Nan’s model and the percolation model, respectively, in relation to the GNP size. The thermal percolation behavior according to the GNP size identified in this study can provide insight into the design of nanocomposite materials with excellent heat dissipation properties.
Highlights
20 μm) were used as conductive fillers to improve the thermal conductivity of nanocomposites [13,20]
Regardless of the lateral size of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), a rapid improvement in thermal conductivity was observed above each specific concentration (M5 30 wt.%, M15 30 wt.%, M25 20 and 30 wt.%)
When the critical content was not reached, the interface between the GNP filler and the polymerized CBT (pCBT) matrix became smaller as the lateral size of the GNP increased and resulted in the reduction in interfacial thermal resistance (ITR) [17]
Summary
Various efforts are in progress to realize the excellent thermal conductivity of nanocarbon in practical applications [1,2,3,4]. Utilizing the excellent thermal conductivity of nanocarbon in practical applications is limited by the difficulty in handling it because of its nanoscale size [7,8]. To overcome this handling challenge and, at the same time, to take advantage of its light weight, excellent processability, and shape stability, the interest in nanocarbon-based polymer composites continues to grow
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 call
