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Article
Influence of Nanomaterials in Polymer Composites on Thermal Conductivity
Journal of Heat Transfer
  • Wonchang Park, Texas A&M University-College Station
  • Kyungwho Choi, Texas A & M University - College Station
  • Khalid Lafdi, University of Dayton
  • Choongho Yu, Texas A & M University - College Station
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2012
Abstract

Carbon nanotube- or/and graphite-filled polymer composites were synthesized by using simple mixing and drying methods, and their thermal conductivities and structures were characterized by using a steady-state method (ASTM D5470) and scanning and transmission electron microscopies. In order to investigate the influence of synthesis conditions on the thermal conductivity of composites, various concentrations of multiwall carbon nanotubes, graphites, surfactants, and polymer matrix materials as well as two different nanoparticles and solvents were tested. Our composites containing both nanotubes (25 wt. %) and graphites (25 wt. %) with sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) as a dispersant showed the highest thermal conductivity, ∼1.8 W/m-K at room temperature. The highest conductivity from nanotube/graphite mixtures would be from good adhesion and less voids between nanotubes and polymers as well as excellent thermal conduction from graphite sheets. The thermal conductivities of the composites have been calculated as a function of carbon nanotube concentrations by using a model based on the Maxwell’s effective medium theory, and the most effective method of improving thermal conductivity was suggested.

Inclusive pages
041302-1 to 041302-7
ISBN/ISSN
0022-1481
Publisher
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Citation Information
Wonchang Park, Kyungwho Choi, Khalid Lafdi and Choongho Yu. "Influence of Nanomaterials in Polymer Composites on Thermal Conductivity" Journal of Heat Transfer Vol. 134 Iss. 4 (2012)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/khalid_lafdi/9/