An introduction to heat transfer

An Anisotropically High Thermal Conductive Boron Nitride/Epoxy Composite Based on Nacre-Mimetic 3D Network

We have produced ultrathin epitaxial graphite films which show remarkable 2D electron gas (2DEG) behavior. The films, composed of typically 3 graphene sheets, were grown by thermal decomposition on the (0001) surface of 6H-SiC, and characterized by surface-science techniques. The low-temperature conductance spans a range of localization regimes according to the structural state (square resistance 1.5 kOhm to 225 kOhm at 4 K, with positive magnetoconductance). Low resistance samples show characteristics of weak-localization in two dimensions, from which we estimate elastic and inelastic mean free paths. At low field, the Hall resistance is linear up to 4.5 T, which is well-explained by n-type carriers of density 10^{12} cm^{-2} per graphene sheet. The most highly-ordered sample exhibits Shubnikov - de Haas oscillations which correspond to nonlinearities observed in the Hall resistance, indicating a potential new quantum Hall system. We show that the high-mobility films can be patterned via conventional lithographic techniques, and we demonstrate modulation of the film conductance using a top-gate electrode. These key elements suggest electronic device applications based on nano-patterned epitaxial graphene (NPEG), with the potential for large-scale integration.

Ultrathin epitaxial graphite: 2D electron gas properties and a route toward graphene-based nanoelectronics

Efficient thermal energy harvesting using phase-change materials (PCMs) has great potential for cost-effective thermal management and energy storage applications. However, the low thermal conductivity of PCMs (KPCM ) is a long-standing bottleneck for high-power-density energy harvesting. Although PCM-based nanocomposites with an enhanced thermal conductivity can address this issue, achieving a higher K (>10 W m-1 K-1 ) at filler loadings below 50 wt% remains challenging. A strategy for synthesizing highly thermally conductive phase-change composites (PCCs) by compression-induced construction of large aligned graphite sheets inside PCCs is demonstrated. The millimeter-sized graphite sheet consists of lateral van-der-Waals-bonded and oriented graphite nanoplatelets at the micro/nanoscale, which together with a thin PCM layer between the sheets synergistically enhance KPCM in the range of 4.4-35.0 W m-1 K-1 at graphite loadings below 40.0 wt%. The resulting PCCs also demonstrate homogeneity, no leakage, and superior phase change behavior, which can be easily engineered into devices for efficient thermal energy harvesting by coordinating the sheet orientation with the thermal transport direction. This method offers a promising route to high-power-density and low-cost applications of PCMs in large-scale thermal energy storage, thermal management of electronics, etc.

High‐Performance Thermally Conductive Phase Change Composites by Large‐Size Oriented Graphite Sheets for Scalable Thermal Energy Harvesting

Although flexible, transparent, and conductive materials are increasingly required for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications in foldable and wearable electronics, it remains a g...

Flexible, Transparent, and Conductive Ti3C2Tx MXene-Silver Nanowire Films with Smart Acoustic Sensitivity for High-Performance Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.

We investigated thermal properties of the epoxy-based composites with the high loading fraction-up to f ≈ 45 vol %-of the randomly oriented electrically conductive graphene fillers and electrically insulating boron nitride fillers. It was found that both types of the composites revealed a distinctive thermal percolation threshold at the loading fraction fT > 20 vol %. The graphene loading required for achieving thermal percolation, fT, was substantially higher than the loading, fE, for electrical percolation. Graphene fillers outperformed boron nitride fillers in the thermal conductivity enhancement. It was established that thermal transport in composites with high filler loadings, f ≥ fT, is dominated by heat conduction via the network of percolating fillers. Unexpectedly, we determined that the thermal transport properties of the high loading composites were influenced strongly by the cross-plane thermal conductivity of the quasi-two-dimensional fillers. The obtained results shed light on the debated mechanism of the thermal percolation, and facilitate the development of the next generation of the efficient thermal interface materials for electronic applications.

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Thermal Percolation Threshold and Thermal Properties of Composites with High Loading of Graphene and Boron Nitride Fillers

Author(s): Kargar, Fariborz; Barani, Zahra; Balinskiy, Michael; Magana, Andres Sanchez; Lewis, Jacob S.; Balandin, Alexander A.

/pdf/dual-functional-graphene-composites-for-electromagnetic-3nt0d6depq.pdf

Dual-Functional Graphene Composites for Electromagnetic Shielding and Thermal Management

Thermal Properties of the Binary‐Filler Hybrid Composites with Graphene and Copper Nanoparticles

We report on the thermal and electrical properties of hybrid epoxy composites with graphene and boron nitride fillers. The thicknesses, lateral dimensions, and aspect ratios of each filler material were intentionally selected for geometric similarity to one another, in contrast to prior studies that utilized dissimilar filler geometries to achieve a "synergistic" effect. We demonstrate that the electrically-conductive graphene and electrically-insulating boron nitride fillers allow one to effectively engineer the thermal and electrical conductivities of their resulting composites. By varying the constituent fraction of boron nitride to graphene in a composite with ~44% total filler loading, one can tune the thermal conductivity enhancement from a factor of x15 to x35 and increase the electrical conductivity by many orders of magnitude. The obtained results are important for the development of next-generation thermal interface materials with controllable electrical properties necessary for applications requiring either electrical grounding or insulation.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2053-1591/ab2215/pdf

Thermal and electrical conductivity control in hybrid composites with graphene and boron nitride fillers

The thermal properties of an epoxy-based binary composites comprised of graphene and copper nanoparticles are reported. It is found that the "synergistic" filler effect, revealed as a strong enhancement of the thermal conductivity of composites with the size-dissimilar fillers, has a well-defined filler loading threshold. The thermal conductivity of composites with a moderate graphene concentration of ~15 wt% exhibits an abrupt increase as the loading of copper nanoparticles approaches ~40 wt%, followed by saturation. The effect is attributed to intercalation of spherical copper nanoparticles between the large graphene flakes, resulting in formation of the highly thermally conductive percolation network. In contrast, in composites with a high graphene concentration, ~40 wt%, the thermal conductivity increases linearly with addition of copper nanoparticles. The electrical percolation is observed at low graphene loading, less than 7 wt.%, owing to the large aspect ratio of graphene. At all concentrations of the fillers, below and above the electrical percolation threshold, the thermal transport is dominated by phonons. The obtained results shed light on the interaction between graphene fillers and copper nanoparticles in the composites and demonstrate potential of such hybrid epoxy composites for practical applications in thermal interface materials and adhesives.

Zahra Barani

Papers

Thermal Percolation Threshold and Thermal Properties of Composites with High Loading of Graphene and Boron Nitride Fillers

Dual-Functional Graphene Composites for Electromagnetic Shielding and Thermal Management

Thermal Properties of the Binary‐Filler Hybrid Composites with Graphene and Copper Nanoparticles

Thermal and electrical conductivity control in hybrid composites with graphene and boron nitride fillers

Thermal Properties of the Binary-Filler Composites with Few-Layer Graphene and Copper Nanoparticles