Br treated graphite nanoplatelets for improved electrical conductivity of polymer composites

The graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) were treated by vapor-phase bromination. The increase in weight and atomic concentration of Br indicated the bromine uptake. The intercalation of Br between graphene layers of GNP was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction result, showing an increase in the interlayer spacing from 3.342 Å to 3.361 Å. Two types of bonds between C and Br were introduced simultaneously, ionic and covalent bonds, both of them increased with bromination duration. The fraction of ionic bond reached the highest value by 3 h Br exposure, which corresponded to the highest electrical conductivity of GNP. Although the bromination treatment did not change the percolation threshold of composites, it increased the absolute value of electrical conductivity of composites when the filler content was higher than the percolation threshold.     

Improving thermal conductivity while retaining high electrical resistivity of epoxy composites by incorporating silica-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Silica-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT@SiO₂) were synthesized by a sol–gel method and then incorporated into an epoxy matrix. The less stiff silica intermediate shell on the MWCNTs not only alleviates the modulus mismatch between the stiff MWCNTs and the soft epoxy, but also improves the interaction between them. The thermal conductivities of the epoxy/MWCNT@SiO₂ composites increase by 51% and 67% at low filler loadings of 0.5 wt.% and 1 wt.%, respectively. At the same time, the silica shell retains the high electrical resistivity of these composites.     

The electrical and thermal conductivity of woven pristine and intercalated graphite fiber-polymer composites

A series of woven fabric laminar composite plates and narrow strips were fabricated from a variety of pitch-based pristine and bromine intercalated graphite fibers in an attempt to determine the influence of the weave on the electrical and thermal conduction. It was found generally that these materials can be treated as if they are homogeneous plates. The rule of mixtures describes the resistivity of the composite fairly well if it is realized that only the component of the fibers normal to the equipotential surface will conduct current. When the composite is narrow with respect to the fiber weave, however, there is a marked angular dependence of the resistance which was well modeled by assuming that the current follows only along the fibers (and not across them in a transverse direction), and that the contact resistance among the fibers in the composite is negligible. The thermal conductivity of composites made from less conductive fibers more closely followed the rule of mixtures than that of the high conductivity fibers, though this is thought to be an artifact of the measurement technique. Electrical and thermal anisotropy could be induced in a particular region of the structure by weaving together high and low conductivity fibers in different directions, though this must be done throughout all of the layers of the structure as interlaminar conduction precludes having only the top layer carry the anisotropy. The anisotropy in the thermal conductivity is considerably less than either that predicted by the rule of mixtures or the electrical resistivity.     

Ultra high thermal conductivity polymer composites

Epoxy composites based on vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) were fabricated and analyzed for room temperature thermophysical properties. An unprecedented high thermal conductivity of 695 W/m K for polymer matrix composites was obtained. The densities of all the composites are lower than 1.5 g/cc. In addition the high value of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the polymer material was largely reduced by the incorporation of VGCF. Also, unlike metal matrix composite (MMC), the epoxy composite has an electrically insulating surface. Based on the composite thermal conductivities, the room temperature thermal conductivity of VGCF, heat-treated at 2600°C, was estimated to be 1260 W/m K. Furthermore, the longitudinal CTE of the heat-treated VGCF was determined, for the first time, to be −1.5 ppm/K.     

Experiments and modeling of thermal conductivity of flake graphite/polymer composites affected by adding carbon-based nano-fillers

Enhancement of thermal conductivity of natural flake graphite/polymer (NFG/polymer) composite sheets, prepared with tape casting method, was studied by adding carbon-based nano-fillers including carbon black, carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene. The in-plane thermal conductivities of the composites, i.e., the thermal conductivities along the tape casting plane, were measured. The improvement of thermal conductivities of the composites was observed to be up to 24% by adding CNT and 31% by adding graphene at 10 wt.%. Micro-structures of the NFG/polymer composites were revealed by X-ray diffraction patterns and field emission scanning electron microscopy images to delineate the mechanism of thermal conductance in the composites. From the observed structure, a new thermal conductivity model for the composites with CNT and graphene additives was constructed based on a bridging mechanism. The new model applies well to the measured thermal conductivities of the as-prepared samples. It is expected that the model could also be applied well to composites added with other homologous materials for bridging thermal contacts.     

Estimation of thermal conductivity of polymer multiphase composites

The thermal conductivities of a medium density polyethylene composites filled separately with two different thermal conductive fillers including graphite, cuprum, and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), an epoxy composites filled respectively with two different thermal conductive fillers including silicon nitride, aluminum hydroxide, Al₂O₃ and aluminum nitride, and a polypropylene composites filled with aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide were estimated using a thermal conductivity equation of polymer multiphase composites. This equation was based on a new heat transfer model, and the parameters were easily determined. It was found that the estimated thermal conductivities of the three composites systems were approximately close to the experimental measured data reported in literature. In addition, the predictions were roughly close to the estimations from the Agari model. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:965–972, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Expanded graphite/polydimethylsiloxane composites with high thermal conductivity

Expanded graphite (EG)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites with high thermal conductivity and high flexibility are prepared in this work. EG derived from natural graphite flake is infiltrated in PDMS prepolymer solution and then hot pressed in a steel mould at 80 °C for 2 h. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope investigation reveals the interpenetrating network structures in the EG/PDMS composites. When mass fraction of EG increases to 10.0 wt %, the thermal conductivity of EG/PDMS reaches to 4.70 W/m K which should be attributed to the conductive path of graphite platelets. Meanwhile, the composites have excellent flexibility (the compressive modulus is 0.68 Mpa) because of its continuous PDMS network. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44843.     

Evaluation of electrical conductivity models for conductive polymer composites

The electrical conductivity of polymeric materials can be increased by the addition of carbon fillers, such as carbon fibers and graphite. The resulting composites could be used in applications such as interference shielding and electrostatic dissipation. Electrical conductivity models are often proposed to predict the conductivity behavior of these materials in order to achieve more efficient material design that could reduce costly experimental work. The electrical conductivity of carbon‐filled polymers was studied by adding four single fillers to nylon 6,6 and polycarbonate in increasing concentrations. The fillers used in this project include chopped and milled forms of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fiber, Thermocarb^TM Specialty Graphite, and Ni‐coated PAN carbon fiber. Material was extruded and injection‐molded into test specimens, and then the electrical conductivity was measured. Data analysis included a comparison of the results to existing conductivity models. The results show that the model proposed by Mamunya, which takes into account the filler aspect ratio and the surface energy of the filler and polymer, most closely matched the conductivity data. This information will then be used in the development of improved conductivity models. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1341–1356, 2002     

Carbon–polymer composites with extreme electrical conductivity

The aim of this study was to develop Carbon–polymer composites with extreme electrical conductivity (100 S/cm) combined with good flexural strength. Despite the many optimization methods described in the literature, no comprehensive optimization procedure was to be found because the formulation did not control by itself the final properties. This study showed the major influence of the processing conditions with these peculiar materials. A detailed study of the influence of the processing conditions on the microstructural and macroscopic properties was performed. We, thereby, proposed a comprehensive way to optimize the properties of the final product. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42274.     

介孔复合材料内界面热阻及热导率

界面广泛存在于复合材料中,对介孔复合材料热物性起着决定性的影响,研究界面的导热特性对于认识和理解介孔复合材料的导热机制十分重要。利用非平衡的分子动力学模拟方法计算介孔复合材料中基材与填充物间的界面热阻,考察界面热阻随温度、材料质量差异的变化,进一步用界面热阻修正介孔复合材料的有效热导率。结果表明,界面热阻的数量级为10^-11m²·K·W^-1,并随温度升高逐渐降低。界面两端材料质量差异越大,界面热阻越高。可通过减小孔径、减小纳米线长度、增大纳米线间距、降低纳米线填充率来降低介孔复合材料的有效热导率。界面热阻能降低材料的有效热导率。孔径越小、纳米线间距越小、纳米线长度越长、填充率越高,界面热阻降低热导率效果越显著。     

Modified graphite filled natural rubber composites with good thermal conductivity

The rubber composites with good thermal conductivity contribute to heat dissipation of tires. Graphite filled natural rubber composites were developed in this study to provide good thermal conductivity. Graphite was coated with polyacrylate polymerized by monomers including methyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate and acrylic acid. The ratios between a filler and acrylate polymerization emulsion and those between monomers were varied. Eight types of surface modification formulas were experimentally investigated. Modification formula can affect coating results and composite properties greatly. The best coating type was achieved by a ratio of 1:1 between methyl methacrylate and n-butyl acrylate. The coating of graphite was thermal y stable in a running tire. Filled with modified graphite, the tire thermal conductivity reached up to 0.517–0.569 W·m-1·K-1. In addition, the mechanical performance was improved with increased crosslink density, extended scorch time and short vulcanization time.     

Preparation and thermal conductivity of novolac/Ni/graphite nanosheet composites

A high thermal conductivity novolac/nickel/graphite nanosheet (novolac/Ni/NanoG) composite was synthesized through in situ polymerization. Graphite nanosheet (NanoG) was prepared by sonicating expanded graphite (EG) in an aqueous alcohol solution and was plated with nickel through an electrodeposition method. The X‐ray diffraction spectrum shows that nickel was successfully plated onto the graphite surface and the nickel thickness is about 27.89 nm. The microstructures of the Ni/NanoG were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that nickel particles with the average diameter of 25 nm are coated on NanoG surface homogeneously and densely. Energy dispersive spectrometry spectrum confirms that the Ni content coated on NanoG surface, whose atomic percentage is 61%, is much higher than that of C element. The values predicted by theoretical model were underestimated the thermal conductivity of novolac/Ni/NanoG composites. Among NG, EG, NanoG, and Ni/NanoG four kinds of particles, the Ni/NanoG improved the thermal conductivity of novolac resin significantly. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Restoring electrical conductivity of dielectrophoretically assembled graphite oxide sheets by thermal and chemical reduction techniques

Thin layers of graphite oxide sheets were dispersed in dimethylformamide and dielectrophoretically assembled onto predefined and opposing metal electrodes. The dielectrophoretic method resulted in the deposition of multiple layers of graphite oxide. After drying, the deposits were then reduced by thermal or chemical methods. Raman spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements revealed that the thermal reduction technique was more effective in restoring electrical conductivity than the chemical reduction method.     

A review on the mechanical and electrical properties of graphite and modified graphite reinforced polymer composites

Carbon materials particularly in the form of sparkling diamonds have held mankind spellbound for centuries, and in its other forms, like coal and coke continue to serve mankind as a fuel material, like carbon black, carbon fibers, carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes meet requirements of reinforcing filler in several applications. All these various forms of carbon are possible because of the element's unique hybridization ability. Graphene (a single two-dimensional layer of carbon atoms bonded together in the hexagonal graphite lattice), the basic building block of graphite, is at the epicenter of present-day materials research because of its high values of Young's modulus, fracture strength, thermal conductivity, specific surface area and fascinating transport phenomena leading to its use in multifarious applications like energy storage materials, liquid crystal devices, mechanical resonators and polymer composites. In this review, we focus on graphite and describe its various modifications for use as modified fillers in polymer matrices for creating polymer-carbon nanocomposites.     

Improved thermal conductivity for chemically functionalized exfoliated graphite/epoxy composites

Chemically functionalized exfoliated graphite-filled epoxy composites were prepared with load levels from 2% to 20% by weight. The viscosities of the composites having load levels >4% by weight were over the processing window for the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction revealed a rhombohedral carbon structure in the filler. Enhanced interaction between the epoxy and the graphite filler was evidenced by an improvement in the rubber modulus for the chemically functionalized graphite/epoxy composites. The thermal and electrical properties of the nanoparticle-filled epoxy composites were measured. The electrical property of the chemically functionalized graphite/epoxy composite deteriorated. Thermal conductivity of the chemically functionalized graphite/epoxy composite, however, increased by 28-fold over the pure epoxy resin at the 20% by-weight load level, increasing from 0.2 to 5.8 W/m K.     

Modeling and characterization of the electrical conductivity of carbon nanotube-based polymer composites

In this research, we investigate both analytically and experimentally the electrical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based polymer composites. An analytical model was developed to predict the electrical conductivity of CNT-based composites. The micro/nanoscale structures of the nanocomposites and the electrical tunneling effect due to the matrix material between CNTs were incorporated within the model. Electrical conductivity measurements were also performed on CNT/polycarbonate composites to identify the dependence of their electrical transport characteristics on the nanotube content. The analytical predictions were compared with the experimental data, and a good correlation was obtained between the predicted and measured results. In addition, the effect of nanotube geometry on the nanocomposite electrical properties at the macroscale was examined.     

Multilayered ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/natural graphite/boron nitride composites with enhanced thermal conductivity and electrical insulation by hot compression

A scalable strategy to fabricate thermally conductive but electrically insulating polymer composites was urgently required in various applications including heat exchangers and electronic packages. In this work, multilayered ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/natural graphite (NG)/boron nitride (BN) composites were prepared by hot compressing the UHMWPE/NG layers and UHMWPE/BN layers alternately. Taking advantage of the internal properties of NG and BN fillers, the UHMWPE/NG layers played a decisive role in enhancing thermal conductivity (TC), while the UHMWPE/BN layers effectively blocked the electrically conductive pathways without affecting the thermal conductive pathways. The in-plane TC, electrical insulation, and heat spreading ability of multilayered UHMWPE/NG/BN composites increased with the increasing layer numbers. At the total fillers loading of 40 wt%, the in-plane TC of multilayered UHMWPE/NG/BN composites with nine layers was markedly improved to 6.319 Wm⁻¹ K⁻¹, outperforming UHMWPE/BN (4.735 Wm⁻¹ K⁻¹) and pure UHMWPE (0.305 Wm⁻¹ K⁻¹) by 33.45% and 1971.80%, respectively. Meanwhile, the UHMWPE/NG/BN composites still maintained an excellent electrically insulating property (volume resistance~5.40×10¹⁴ Ω cm ; breakdown voltage~1.52 kV/mm). Moreover, the multilayered UHMWPE/NG/BN composites also exhibited surpassing heat dissipation capability and mechanical properties. Our results provided an effective method to fabricate highly thermal conductive and electrical insulating composites.     

Evaluation and development of electrical conductivity models for nickel nanostrand polymer composites

The electrical conductivity of composites and polymeric‐based systems is frequently improved by the addition of conductive additives to form a conductor–insulator binary system. This study considers nickel nanostrands as a conductive element in polymer systems. Materials characteristics are considered in order to form a basis for understanding and predicting the electrical percolation behaviors of nanostrand composites, specifically seeking models that can distinguish between different polymer systems. Empirical percolation data for nickel nanostrands in four different polymeric systems is presented and used to evaluate candidate electrical conductivity models. Classical percolation approaches are found to not show good fit, but more advanced models are able to provide good correlation to tested results. Specifically, Tunneling Percolation (TPM) models and the Two Exponent Phenomenological Percolation Equation (TEPPE) model based on the Generalized Effective Media (GEM) theory show good fit. A combined TEPPE‐TPM approach is developed that applies tunneling percolation to the GEM theory. This combined model includes tunneling considerations in equations that accurately represent behaviors in all regions of percolation behavior. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:549–557, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

How to achieve high electrical conductivity in aligned carbon nanotube polymer composites

Carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites may provide a unique option for the aviation industry due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and multifunctionality. Specifically their electrical conductivity and consequent shielding capabilities can be strongly enhanced by featuring vertically aligned nanotube arrays in the polymer composites. We report here a detailed study of the electrical transport mechanisms within aligned carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites. The experimental part of our investigation relies on extensive use of both macroscopic and high spatial resolution experimental techniques by which we shed light on the factors dominating the electrical transport, namely the contact resistance which depends on the wetting properties of CNT–metal interface, and the resistance at point-junctions which scale with the size of interconnecting tubes. Our modeling effort well describes our experimental observations and reveals the key parameters to achieve high nanocomposite intrinsic electrical conductivity and to reduce its interfacial contact resistance.     

Synthesis of graphite nanosheets/polyaniline nanorods composites with ultrasonic and conductivity

The graphite nanosheets/polyaniline (GN/PANI) nanorods composites were fabricated via ultrasonic polymerization of aniline monomer in the presence of GN, which was used as electric filling. The kind of doped acids, the concentration, and the contents of the GN were used as impact factors to the conductivity of the materials that were investigated. The structure of nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR and SEM. The results show that ultrasonic can effectively restrain the agglomerate of the aniline and come to uniformity nanorods composites. The conductivity reached to 4.8 S/cm and 22 S/cm, respectively. The thermal stability of GN/PANI nanorods composites is superior to pure PANI as shown by TG analysis. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009