Category: Transient Plane Source
Author(s): Izabela Firkowska, Kati Gharagozloo-Hubmann, Maria Kasimir, Milana Lisunova, Stephanie Reich, Svitlana Trotsenko, V. Datsyuk, Vitaliy Datsyuk
Keywords: Carbon nanotubes, CNT-oil combinations, CNTs, composites, Fillers, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), MWNTs, Polymer composites, Thermal Conductivity, Transient Plane Source, Transient plane source (TPS) method
Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have extremely high thermal conductivity and can raise the thermal conductivity of a polymer matrix when used as an additive. Previous research has shown that random CNT orientation in polymer matrices gives a much lower thermal conductivity value than a specific alignment direction. This project tested the thermal conductivity of oils and polymers. Results were encouraging, with the thermal conductivity of the composites increasing linearly with the amount of CNTs added. A spontaneous alignment of the CNTs in liquid crystal polymer matrix caused a large increase in thermal diffusivity. The researchers concluded that CNTs are an effective filler for use in increasing the thermal conductivity of composites and improving their thermal performance.
Reference: Applied Physics A, 105:4, (2011) pp 781-788
DOI: 10.1007/s00339-011-6667-7