Preparation of graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol microcomposites and their thermal conducting properties

• Graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol composites for heat dissipation materials.
• Well-dispersed graphene oxide in the microfibrous polymer matrix.
• Morphology of the composites controlled by freezing condition.
• Anisotropic thermal conductivity on the basis of the orientation of GO sheets.

In this article, we report the fabrication of graphene oxide (GO)/polymer composite structures that may be candidates for use as effective heat dissipation materials. GO was well dispersed in aqueous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solutions; anisotropic fiber structures of GO/PVA composites were then prepared by freeze-drying under controlled freezing conditions. GO was well dispersed in the microfiber structures of PVA, and morphologies of the GO/PVA composite structures could be controlled through the concentration of the starting solution, the freezing temperature, freezing rate, and direction of the freeze. Thermal conducting properties were found to depend on the morphology of the composite structures and the content of GO. Anisotropic thermal conductivity was found for some structures.

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