Bulk thermal conductivity studies of Sn/SnO coated and filled multiwalled carbon nanotubes for thermal interface material

摘要

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were successfully coated and filled with Sn using a simple method. Bulk thermal conductivity of Sn/SnO filled and coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) of approximate to 1mm thickness pellet by laser method reveals surge in hybrid carbon nanotubes in comparison to pristine nanotubes. The thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of hybrid nanotubes are increased to 4.41mm(2)/sec, 5.39Wm(-1)K(-1) of as compared to 0.36mm(2)/sec and 0.28Wm(-1)K(-1) of the pristine nanotubes. The enhancement in thermal conductivity is attributed to the presence of Sn coating on surface and inside the carbon nanotubes and the formation of compact structures by reducing the air gaps between nanotubes because of their joining during compression and sintering.