Calculations of factors that affect thermal conductivity in epoxy composites with hybrid carbon nanotube and graphene nano platelet

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and Graphene Nano Platelets (GNPs) had been used to enhance the thermal conductivity of the epoxy composites and show a synergistic effect. Complex service conditions also put forward the requirements for the structural design of the composites to get better performance. Rese...

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Main Authors: Han Wang, Ercong Xiao, Taotao Fan, Xiaotuo Li, Wenkai Xiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2020-01-01
Series:Materials Research Express
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ab71ca
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author Han Wang
Ercong Xiao
Taotao Fan
Xiaotuo Li
Wenkai Xiao
author_facet Han Wang
Ercong Xiao
Taotao Fan
Xiaotuo Li
Wenkai Xiao
author_sort Han Wang
collection DOAJ
description Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and Graphene Nano Platelets (GNPs) had been used to enhance the thermal conductivity of the epoxy composites and show a synergistic effect. Complex service conditions also put forward the requirements for the structural design of the composites to get better performance. Researches should be done to further understand the mechanism of enhancement in composites and find ways to assist the design and optimization of the structure. In this research, epoxy composites with CNTs, GNPs and hybrid CNTs-GNPs (5:2) were prepared, whose total content of fillers was kept constant at 0.4 vol%. Test of specific surface area shew the hybrid fillers had less aggregation and the composites with hybrid fillers had the highest thermal conductivity. Observing the microstructure of the composites, CNTs were absorbed on the surface of GNPs, forming a cross-network which could improve aggregation and provide channels for the heat. A series of finite element models were established using scripts to find the factors that affect the forming of network and heat flow. A parameter was created to reflect the distribution of the fillers: distance of non-network(DNN). Positions, orientations, ratios, shapes, and sizes are all factors. The effect of angles depends on the relative positions of the fillers. A proper bending degree of CNTs would have better enhancement. The vertical-structure network was created manually and heat flux on the network was shown: GNPs expanded the area of network for the acceptance and release of heat. CNTs provide efficient channels for the multidirectional heat flow. The combination of the geometry expanded the influence region of the network.
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spelling doaj.art-dda09a8b9b03440eb0a886d5eb447ed12023-08-09T16:06:36ZengIOP PublishingMaterials Research Express2053-15912020-01-017202503110.1088/2053-1591/ab71caCalculations of factors that affect thermal conductivity in epoxy composites with hybrid carbon nanotube and graphene nano plateletHan Wang0Ercong Xiao1Taotao Fan2Xiaotuo Li3Wenkai Xiao4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0436-4445School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , LuoJiaShan, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People’s Republic of ChinaSchool of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , LuoJiaShan, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People’s Republic of ChinaSchool of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , LuoJiaShan, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People’s Republic of ChinaSchool of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , LuoJiaShan, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People’s Republic of ChinaSchool of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , LuoJiaShan, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People’s Republic of ChinaCarbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and Graphene Nano Platelets (GNPs) had been used to enhance the thermal conductivity of the epoxy composites and show a synergistic effect. Complex service conditions also put forward the requirements for the structural design of the composites to get better performance. Researches should be done to further understand the mechanism of enhancement in composites and find ways to assist the design and optimization of the structure. In this research, epoxy composites with CNTs, GNPs and hybrid CNTs-GNPs (5:2) were prepared, whose total content of fillers was kept constant at 0.4 vol%. Test of specific surface area shew the hybrid fillers had less aggregation and the composites with hybrid fillers had the highest thermal conductivity. Observing the microstructure of the composites, CNTs were absorbed on the surface of GNPs, forming a cross-network which could improve aggregation and provide channels for the heat. A series of finite element models were established using scripts to find the factors that affect the forming of network and heat flow. A parameter was created to reflect the distribution of the fillers: distance of non-network(DNN). Positions, orientations, ratios, shapes, and sizes are all factors. The effect of angles depends on the relative positions of the fillers. A proper bending degree of CNTs would have better enhancement. The vertical-structure network was created manually and heat flux on the network was shown: GNPs expanded the area of network for the acceptance and release of heat. CNTs provide efficient channels for the multidirectional heat flow. The combination of the geometry expanded the influence region of the network.https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ab71cagraphenecarbon nanotubethermal conductivityfinite elementcomposites
spellingShingle Han Wang
Ercong Xiao
Taotao Fan
Xiaotuo Li
Wenkai Xiao
Calculations of factors that affect thermal conductivity in epoxy composites with hybrid carbon nanotube and graphene nano platelet
Materials Research Express
graphene
carbon nanotube
thermal conductivity
finite element
composites
title Calculations of factors that affect thermal conductivity in epoxy composites with hybrid carbon nanotube and graphene nano platelet
title_full Calculations of factors that affect thermal conductivity in epoxy composites with hybrid carbon nanotube and graphene nano platelet
title_fullStr Calculations of factors that affect thermal conductivity in epoxy composites with hybrid carbon nanotube and graphene nano platelet
title_full_unstemmed Calculations of factors that affect thermal conductivity in epoxy composites with hybrid carbon nanotube and graphene nano platelet
title_short Calculations of factors that affect thermal conductivity in epoxy composites with hybrid carbon nanotube and graphene nano platelet
title_sort calculations of factors that affect thermal conductivity in epoxy composites with hybrid carbon nanotube and graphene nano platelet
topic graphene
carbon nanotube
thermal conductivity
finite element
composites
url https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ab71ca
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