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Updated: Mar 26, 2026
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Simultaneous Synthesis of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene in a Magnetically-enhanced Arc Plasma
Published on: February 2, 2012
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Cross-plane heat transfer through single-layer carbon structures
Huaichen Zhang1, Silvia V Nedea, Camilo C M Rindt
1Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, De Rondom 70, 5612 AP, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. h.zhang@tue.nl.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|January 29, 2016
Summary
Graphene additives enhance thermal conductivity in phase change materials (PCMs). This study found faster heat transfer from graphene to water than within graphene, challenging existing thermal resistance models for PCMs.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Thermal Engineering
Background:
- Graphene-based nanostructures are explored as additives to enhance the thermal conductivity of phase change materials (PCMs).
- The effectiveness of graphene additives depends on both the matrix material and the carbon nanostructure's geometry.
- Water is used as a model matrix to represent hydroxyl-group-rich sugar alcohols, common PCMs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nano-scale thermal transport phenomena in graphene-water systems.
- To understand the influence of graphene nanostructure geometry on thermal conductivity.
- To evaluate the thermal contact resistance between graphene and water.
Main Methods:
- Pilot research employing water as a model matrix material.
- Analysis of heat conduction across graphene layers to water.
- Investigation of the effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) diameter on heat transfer.
Main Results:
- Heat conduction from a graphene layer to water is significantly faster than heat conduction within the graphene layer itself.
- High graphene-water thermal contact resistance was observed, which does not fully account for rapid low-frequency phonon kinetics.
- The cross-plane heat transfer coefficient generally decreases with decreasing CNT diameter, with an exception for CNT(9,9).
Conclusions:
- The thermal transport dynamics at the graphene-water interface are complex and influenced by phonon behavior.
- Graphene nanostructure geometry plays a crucial role in determining the thermal enhancement of PCMs.
- Further research is needed to optimize graphene additive design for improved PCM thermal performance.
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