Surface functionalization on the thermal conductivity of graphene-polymer nanocomposites

• Published in: International journal of smart and nano materials Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 123 - 132
• Main Authors: Wang, Mingchao, Galpaya, Dilini, Lai, Zheng Bo, Xu, Yanan, Yan, Cheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 03.04.2014; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: functionalization; Graphene; Graphite; Heat conductivity; Heat transfer; interface; Mathematical analysis; nanocomposite; Nanocomposites; Nanostructure; R&D; Research & development; Thermal conductivity; Thermal properties; thermal transport; Transport
• ISSN: 1947-5411; 1947-542X
• DOI: 10.1080/19475411.2014.904828

Exploring thermal transport in graphene-polymer nanocomposite is significant to its applications with better thermal properties. Interfacial thermal conductance between graphene and polymer matrix plays a critical role in the improvement of thermal conductivity of graphene-polymer nanocomposite. Unfortunately, it is still challenging to understand the interfacial thermal transport between graphene nanofiller and polymer matrix at small material length scale. To this end, using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations, we investigate the interfacial thermal conductance of graphene-polyethylene (PE) nanocomposite. The influence of functionalization with hydrocarbon chains on the interfacial thermal conductance of graphene-polymer nanocomposites was studied, taking into account the effects of model size and thermal conductivity of graphene. An analytical model is also used to calculate the thermal conductivity of nanocomposite. The results are considered to contribute to the development of new graphene-polymer nanocomposites with tailored thermal properties.