Anisotropic Thermal Transport in Thermoelectric Composites of Conjugated Polyelectrolytes/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

TitleAnisotropic Thermal Transport in Thermoelectric Composites of Conjugated Polyelectrolytes/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsC.K. Mai, J. Liu, C.M. Evans, R.A. Segalman, M.L. Chabinyc, D.G. Gahill, and G.C. Bazan
JournalMACROMOLECULES
Volume49
Pagination4957-4963
Date PublishedJUL 12
ISSN0024-9297
Abstract

We report a method to determine the thermal conductivities of polymer composites with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) using time-domain thermoreflectance. Both through-plane and in-plane thermal conductivities were determined. Two types of CPEs used in these studies are of the same conjugated backbone but with either cationic (CPE-PyrBIm(4)) or anionic (CPE-Na) pendant functionalities. The CPE-Na/SWNT composites are p-type conductors, whereas the CPE-PyrBIm(4)/SWNT counterparts exhibit n-type charge transport. The CPE/SWNT films were prepared through a filtration method that preferentially aligns the SWNTs in the in-plane direction. Attaching the composites onto glass substrates with a precoated heat transducer allows one to measure the through-plane thermal conductivity of materials with rough surfaces. The in-plane thermal conductivity can be measured by embedding thick samples into epoxy followed by microtoming to expose the relatively smooth cross sections. The thermal conductivity along the in-plane direction is found to be higher than that along the through-plane direction. Indeed, the anisotropy factor of thermal conductivity in these composites is approximately an order of magnitude, favoring in-plane direction.

DOI10.1021/acs.macromol.6b00546