Graphite Nanoplatelet Filler-Modified Polyurethane Nanocomposites for Thermal Transport Enhancement

• Author / Creator

  Akram, Usama

• The use of polymers in applications such as electronic packaging, heat exchangers, and thermal pastes is limited by their inability to dissipate accumulated heat effectively. Nano-scale filler modifiers may be used to improve the transport of thermal energy through polymer materials. Studies of thermally-enhanced polymer nanocomposites have shown minimal enhancement by filler addition due to the presence of an interfacial or Kapitza resistance caused by phonon mismatch. In this study, a graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) filler modifier was added to polyurethane (PU) that is typically used in high wear applications. Due to PU’s low thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/m-K, accumulated heat can cause degradation and early failure. A specialized curing chamber, allowing for the application of heat and high vacuum pressure was used to produce high quality nanocomposite specimens with minimal void content. GNP-PU specimens modified with up to 4% GNP filler weight content were produced through solution blending. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis performed on the specimens to investigate filler dispersion suggested that no intercalation or exfoliation of the nanofillers had occurred. The bulk thermal conductivity of the filler-modified PU specimens was tested using the hot disk method. A linear enhancement trend, reaching a maximum bulk conductivity value of 0.43 W/m-K, with no percolating behavior, was observed for the thermal conductivity of the GNP-PU modified nanocomposite. These experimental values were found upon comparison to be in agreement with results of second-order analytical models based on the series model. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to measure the specific heat capacity of the test specimens for anisotropic hot disk testing. Results of anisotropic hot disk testing showed a higher in-plane thermal conductivity value as compared to thermal conductivity in the through-thickness direction in all modified specimens. Further compression testing and hot disk analysis at various probing depths suggested filler alignment in the in-plane direction as well as GNP settlement at the base of the nanocomposite specimens.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Graphite nanoplatelets
  • Thermal conductivity
  • Nanocomposites
  • Polyurethane

• Graduation date

  Fall 2017

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3610W58X

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.