Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Thermal Management Applications: Further Efforts Are Needed to Achieve Full Potential and Wider Realization

Recently, two-dimensional (2-D) nanomaterials, especially graphene and boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS ), have received extensive attention in the area of thermal management due to their ultrahigh thermal conductivity. This article reviews chemical and electronic structure, thermal properties, and preparation and functionalization methods of graphene and BNNS as well as their potential applications as thermal interface materials (TIM s) and phase-change materials (PCM s). The advantages and disadvantages of incorporating graphene and BNNS into conventional polymeric and metallic materials in the context of thermal management are also discussed. Finally, the grand challenges in wider implementation of these 2-D nanomaterials in current electronic devices and systems is put into perspective.