Review of Graphene-based Thermal Polymer Nanocomposites: Current State of the Art and Future Prospects

TL;DR

This review discusses the advancements in graphene-based thermal polymer nanocomposites, highlighting their potential to improve heat management in high-performance electronics through enhanced thermal conductivity and reliability.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of current strategies for incorporating graphene into polymers, including hybrid fillers, and evaluates their effectiveness for thermal management applications.

Findings

Graphene significantly increases thermal conductivity of polymer composites.

Hybrid fillers like graphene and boron nitride enable independent control of thermal and electrical properties.

Graphene-enhanced composites show promise for high-reliability thermal interface materials.

Abstract

We review the current state of the art of graphene-enhanced thermal interface materials for the management of heat the next generation of electronics. Increased integration densities, speed, and power of electronic and optoelectronic devices require thermal interface materials with substantially higher thermal conductivity, improved reliability, and lower cost. Graphene has emerged as a promising filler material that can meet the demands of future high-speed and high-powered electronics. This review describes the use of graphene as a filler in curing and non-curing polymer matrices. Special attention is given to strategies for achieving the thermal percolation threshold with its corresponding characteristic increase in the overall thermal conductivity. Many applications require high thermal conductivity of the composites while simultaneously preserving electrical insulation. A hybrid filler -- graphene and boron nitride -- approach is presented as possible technology for independent control of electrical and thermal conduction. Reliability and lifespan performance of thermal interface materials is an important consideration towards the determination of appropriate practical applications. The present review addresses these issues in detail, demonstrating the promise of the graphene-enhanced thermal interface materials as compared to alternative technologies.