2011 | Khan M. F. Shahil and Alexander A. Balandin
The paper by Khan M. F. Shahil and Alexander A. Balandin from the University of California, Riverside, explores the use of graphene and multilayer graphene (MLG) as highly efficient thermal interface materials (TIMs). The authors found that an optimized mixture of graphene and MLG, produced through high-yield liquid-phase exfoliation, significantly enhances the cross-plane thermal conductivity (K) of the composite. Specifically, "laser flash" measurements revealed a 2300% increase in K at a filler loading fraction of 10 vol.%. The presence of a relatively high concentration of single-layer and bilayer graphene flakes, along with thicker multilayers, was crucial for this enhancement. The thermal conductivity of a commercial thermal grease was also increased from 5.8 W/mK to 14 W/mK at a small loading fraction of 2%, while maintaining all mechanical properties. Modeling results suggest that the graphene-MLG nanocomposite outperforms those with carbon nanotubes or metal nanoparticles due to graphene's aspect ratio and lower Kapitza resistance at the graphene-matrix interface. The study highlights the potential of graphene-based TIMs for improving thermal management in advanced electronic devices and renewable energy systems.The paper by Khan M. F. Shahil and Alexander A. Balandin from the University of California, Riverside, explores the use of graphene and multilayer graphene (MLG) as highly efficient thermal interface materials (TIMs). The authors found that an optimized mixture of graphene and MLG, produced through high-yield liquid-phase exfoliation, significantly enhances the cross-plane thermal conductivity (K) of the composite. Specifically, "laser flash" measurements revealed a 2300% increase in K at a filler loading fraction of 10 vol.%. The presence of a relatively high concentration of single-layer and bilayer graphene flakes, along with thicker multilayers, was crucial for this enhancement. The thermal conductivity of a commercial thermal grease was also increased from 5.8 W/mK to 14 W/mK at a small loading fraction of 2%, while maintaining all mechanical properties. Modeling results suggest that the graphene-MLG nanocomposite outperforms those with carbon nanotubes or metal nanoparticles due to graphene's aspect ratio and lower Kapitza resistance at the graphene-matrix interface. The study highlights the potential of graphene-based TIMs for improving thermal management in advanced electronic devices and renewable energy systems.