Thermally conductive 2D filler orientation control in polymer using thermophoresis

• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2022.107838
• Publication Date: 2022-10-17T15:36:16Z
• Authors: Seong-Bae Min; Mingeun Kim; Kyu Hyun; Cheol-Woo Ahn; Chae Bin Kim
• Keywords: Thermophoresis; Temperature Gradient; Microscale Thermophoresis

To achieve efficient heat dissipation using polymer composites, it is important to optimize the conduction pathway. Therefore, manipulating orientation of thermally conductive and anisotropic fillers in composites represents a judicious strategy. So far, external fields have been applied align within matrix. However, these processes are energy-intensive require stimuli-responsive through surface modification, further complicating process deteriorating filler thermal conductivity. Herein, ends, facile method for manufacturing composite with an orientation-controlled model filler, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), was proposed by harnessing thermophoresis. Thermophoresis causes movement and/or rotation solid particles fluid steady temperature gradient. A suspension UV-curable monomer well-dispersed h-BN subjected gradient, inducing via subsequent photo-curing yielded frozen aligned direction agreed expected thermophoresis, as indicated conductivity measurement cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. Additionally, theoretically estimated Peclet number, induced higher than experimentally determined value required suspended h-BN. our best knowledge, current study first experimental demonstration controlling