Thermal Conductivity of Polymers and Their Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polymers are usually considered as thermal insulators and their applications are limited by their low thermal conductivity. However, recent studies showed that certain polymers have surprisingly high thermal conductivity, some of which are comparable to that in poor metals or even silicon. In this review, we outline the experimental achievements and theoretical progress of thermal transport in polymers and their nanocomposites. The open questions and challenges of existing theories are discussed. Special attention is given to the mechanism of thermal transport, the enhancement of thermal conductivity in polymer nanocomposites/fibers, and their potential application as thermal interface materials.

24 pages,3 figures

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• Polymer Nanocomposites having a High Filler Content: Synthesis, Structures, Properties, and Applications
• Materials discovery and properties prediction in thermal transport via materials informatics: a mini-review
• Maximization and Minimization of Interfacial Thermal Conductance by Modulating the Mass Distribution of Interlayer
• Unified Modeling and Experimental Realization of Electrical and Thermal Percolation in Polymer Composites
• A Thermal Resistance Network Model for Heat Conduction of Amorphous Polymers
• Cross interface model for the thermal transport across interface between overlapped boron nitride nanoribbons
• Aromatic molecular junctions between graphene sheets: a molecular dynamics screening for enhanced thermal conductance
• Thermal Conductivities and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin as a Function of the Degree of Cross-linking
• Significantly enhanced polymer thermal conductivity by confining effect through bilayer MoS2 Surfaces
• Disorder controlled sound speed and thermal conductivity of hybrid metalcone films
• Deep learning reveals key predictors of thermal conductivity in covalent organic frameworks
• Thermal Transport in Polymers: A Review