Thermal conductivity of epoxy/surface functionalized carbon nano materials

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphite nanoplates were functionalized by chemical methods. The functionalized chemical structures were characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR). It is found that carboxyl groups were grafted onto MWCNTs and graphite nanoplates surfaces. Epoxy and cyanate ester polymer composites with functionalized MWCNTs and graphite nano plates were prepared, and their thermal conductivities were measured by the a Netzsch Nano Flash, which showed that the thermal conductivity of the polymer composites can be significantly improved by building chemical bondings between polymer matrix and carbon nano fillers.