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Interfacial heat flow in carbon nanotube suspensions
Scott T Huxtable1, David G Cahill, Sergei Shenogin
1Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
Nature Materials
|October 14, 2003
Summary
Interface thermal conductance limits heat transport in carbon nanotube composites. This study measured exceptionally low values, suggesting composite thermal conductivity will be lower than predicted.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Thermal Physics
Background:
- Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are researched for composite applications.
- Improving thermal transport in CNT composites is crucial.
- Interface thermal conductance (G) is a key factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the interface thermal conductance (G) of CNTs in water.
- To understand heat transfer limitations in CNT-based composites.
Main Methods:
- Picosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to measure G.
- Classical molecular dynamics simulations for heat transfer analysis.
Main Results:
- Measured G for CNTs in surfactant micelles in water.
- Simulations agreed with experimental findings.
- Found G approximately 12 MW m(-2) K(-1).
Conclusions:
- Interface thermal conductance significantly limits heat transport in CNT composites.
- Composite thermal conductivity is lower than predicted by intrinsic CNT properties and volume fraction.