Thermal conductivity of pillared graphene-epoxy nanocomposites using molecular dynamics
Abstract
Thermal conductivity in a pillared graphene-epoxy nanocomposite (PGEN) is studied using equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. PGEN is a proposed material for advanced thermal management applications because it combines high in-plane conductivity of graphene with high axial conductivity of a nanotube to significantly enhance the overall conductivity of the epoxy matrix material. Anisotropic conductivity of PGEN has been compared with that of pristine and functionalized carbon nanotube-epoxy nanocomposites, showcasing the advantages of the unique hierarchical structure of PGEN. Compared to pure carbon allotropes, embedding the epoxy matrix also promotes a weaker dependence of conductivity on thermal variations. These features make this an attractive material for thermal management applications.
- Publication:
-
Applied Physics Letters
- Pub Date:
- April 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.5022755
- Bibcode:
- 2018ApPhL.112o1902L