Graphite Nanoplatelet−Epoxy Composite Thermal Interface Materials

TLDR: In this article, the performance of a few graphene layer n ∼ 4, with a thickness of ∼ 2 nm, was investigated for epoxy composites and it was shown that the G4 GNPs provide a thermal conductivity enhancement of more than 3000% (loading of ∼25 vol %).

Abstract: Natural graphite was intercalated, thermally exfoliated, and dispersed in acetone to prepare graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs, Gn) of controlled aspect ratio. Thermal conductivity measurements indicate that few graphene layer Gn, where n ∼ 4, with a thickness of ∼2 nm function as a very efficient filler for epoxy composites. When embedded in an epoxy matrix, the G4 GNPs provide a thermal conductivity enhancement of more than 3000% (loading of ∼25 vol %), and a thermal conductivity κ = 6.44 W/mK, which surpasses the performance of conventional fillers that require a loading of ∼70 vol % to achieve these values. We attribute the outstanding thermal properties of this material to a favorable combination of the high aspect ratio, two-dimensional geometry, stiffness, and low thermal interface resistance of the GNPs.