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Catechins were added to boron nitride nanotube (BNNTs)/polyvinyl formal (PVF) composite films, in hopes of further increasing the thermal conductivity of the film. After thermal conductivity testing, the composite films were determined to have an increased thermal conductivity, as compared to their neat form. Researchers determined that the increase of thermal conductivity was related to the aromatic rings within the catechin, which interact with the nanotube surfaces. Upon contact, the catechin positions itself between the BNNTs and a polymer, improving the heat transfer between the matrix and fillers.
The purpose of this research was to improve the thermal conductivity of boron-nitride filled epoxy composites. To complete this task, the interfacial adhesion in the composite needed to be improved. This was achieved by employing admicellar polymerization to coat the polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate, on the boron nitride surface. The results indicated an increase in the thermal conductivity of the composite from 1.5 W/mK, with the use of untreated boron-nitride, to 2.69 W/mK with the use of treated admicellar boron nitride. This increase in thermal conductivity indicates an improvement in the interfacial adhesion between the boron nitride and the epoxy resin.
The focus of this research was to discover new thermally conductive ceramic/plastic composites for their use in thermal management. In this experiment, the thermal constants analyzer was used to measure the thermal conductivity of composite films containing hexagonal boron nitride particles and polyimide. Upon testing, a thermal conductivity of 7 W/mK with a 60% filler content was noted, as compared to a thermal conductivity of 5 W/mK for the plastic alone. These results shed light on a method for improving the thermal conductivity of ceramic/plastic composites by altering the filler content interfaces.
In this experiment, the thermal conductivity of several composites, with varying matrix composition and boron nitride nanotubes fillers, was investigated. Poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, poly(vinyl butyral) and poly(ethylene vinyl alcohol) were the matrix compositions analyzed. The results indicated that with the addition of the boron nitride nanotube fillers, there was a 20-fold increase in the thermal conductivity of the polymer. Several other properties were analyzed alongside of thermal conductivity.
As technology advances, the need for inexpensive polymer-based composites possessing high thermal conductive properties has become more and more important. Previously, the addition of thermal conductive particles, such as alumina, boron nitride and alumina nitride, has caused an increase in the thermal conductivity of the composite. Although an increase in thermal conductivity is present, an increase in fabrication costs is also experienced as a higher quantity of particles is required, in order to achieve the higher thermal conductivity readings. For this experiment, researchers set out to test the thermal conductivity of composites containing functionalized graphene nanosheets (GNSs), using the transient plane source method. As a result of the rigorous thermal conductivity testing performed, a non-destructive approach at increasing the thermal conductivity of GNS-filled epoxy composites was identified.
