Thermal conductivity of metal-graphene composites

• Published in: Materials & design Vol. 99; pp. 163 - 173
• Main Authors: Wejrzanowski, T., Grybczuk, M., Chmielewski, M., Pietrzak, K., Kurzydlowski, K.J., Strojny-Nedza, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 05-06-2016
• Subjects: Composites; Computer simulation; Copper; Finite element method; Graphene; Heat transfer; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Particulate composites; Thermal conductivity; Volume fraction; Finite element method; Thermal conductivity; Composites; Graphene
• ISSN: 0264-1275; 1873-4197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2016.03.069

In this paper the results of numerical simulations and experimental studies are presented which describe potential and limitation of applications of single-layer (SLG) and multi-layer (MLG) graphene for thermal conductivity enhancement (TCE) of copper. A series of composite structures were studied which are representative of most widely used systems. The influence of structural parameters on the macroscopic thermal conductivity was analyzed, both experimentally and by numerical simulations. Analytical and Finite Element Method modeling were carried out to investigate a wide range of phenomena, including the effect of copper-MLG interface, copper grain size, volume fraction, thickness and orientation of MLG platelets as well as spatial distribution of MLG defined by percolation factor. Both modeling and the experimental results show that the volume fraction of MLG regions, their size, orientation and spatial distribution may significantly affect the thermal conductivity of metal matrix composites. TCE can be obtained for the laminate-like structure or particulate composites with highly aligned MLG regions. The thermal conductivity of such composites is strongly anisotropic and enhanced in the direction perpendicular to the layers. The results obtained in this study predict that SLG will have a negative effect on the thermal conductivity of copper matrix composites.
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•Thermal conductivity of copper-graphene composites were studied by modeling and experimental techniques•Spatial distribution and orientation of graphene platelets is crucial for macroscopic thermal conductivity of composites•The enhancement of thermal conductivity is observed for the structures with high anisotropy•Thermal conductivity increases with the number of graphene layers and for single layered graphene always decreases.