Multiscale modeling and analysis of synergistic reduction of the thermal resistance of polymer composites via hybrid carbon nanotube/graphene nanoplatelet

Yunhe Sheng, Chao Li, Chuang Feng, Yu Su*, Shangbin Xi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Synergistic effect has been experimentally demonstrated as a key phenomenon to reduce the thermal resistance and enhance thermal conductivity of polymer composites with nanofiller hybrids including carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP). But there is a lack of theory that can satisfactorily explain the related mechanisms. We present a study based on the effective medium theory to describe the correlation between the thermal conductivity of a composite and the specific information of its nanofiller hybrids, i.e., their aspect ratios, volume fractions, and various thermal resistance. A new model is established and is validated by experimental data. It helps to unveil the mechanisms of the observed synergistic effect of the CNT/GNP thermal networks. It is shown that the prominent enhancement in the effective thermal conductivity is largely due to the low CNT–GNP interfacial thermal resistance Rbdc−g, which is one magnitude lower than CNT–CNT or GNP–GNP resistance (Rbdc−c, Rbdg−g) in the hybrid thermal networks. Based on the developed model, one is able to achieve the highest thermal-conductivity enhancement for the composite by optimizing the CNT/GNP volume ratio. The thermal conductivity enhancement of the composite is further investigated by considering the spatial orientation and alignment arrangement of the nanofiller hybrids.

Original languageEnglish
Article number109672
JournalInternational Journal of Thermal Sciences
Volume210
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2025

Keywords

  • Carbon nanotube
  • Effective medium theory
  • Graphene
  • Hybrid composite
  • Thermal conductivity

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Sheng, Y., Li, C., Feng, C., Su, Y., & Xi, S. (2025). Multiscale modeling and analysis of synergistic reduction of the thermal resistance of polymer composites via hybrid carbon nanotube/graphene nanoplatelet. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 210, Article 109672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2024.109672