Paraffin-Multilayer Graphene Composite for Thermal Management in Electronics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Thermal Engineering

Background:

• Paraffin wax is a phase-change material used for thermal buffering.
• Improving heat transfer in paraffin wax is crucial for efficient thermal management in electronics.
• Graphene is a promising material for enhancing thermal properties of composites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize multilayer graphene-paraffin composites.
• To investigate the effect of graphene content on the thermal properties of paraffin wax.
• To evaluate the performance of these composites as thermal heat sinks for electronic processors.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of composites using an ultra-high shear mixer.
• Characterization using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.
• Thermal property analysis including differential scanning calorimetry and thermal conductivity measurements.

Main Results:

• Graphene addition slightly decreased energy storage capacity but increased thermal conductivity by 150% at 10 wt.% graphene.
• Morphological studies revealed paraffin intercalation within graphene flakes.
• Processor operating temperature was reduced by up to 20% with composites containing over 5 wt.% graphene.

Conclusions:

• Multilayer graphene-paraffin composites demonstrate enhanced thermal conductivity.
• These composites effectively reduce electronic processor operating temperatures.
• The developed phase-change material shows significant potential for improving electronic device performance through advanced thermal management.