Thermal transmittance in graphene based networks for polymer matrix composites

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) can be added as fillers in polymer matrix composites for enhancing their thermo-mechanical properties. In the present study, we focus on the effect of chemical and geometrical characteristics of GNRs on the thermal conduction properties of composite materials. Configurations consisting of single and triple GNRs are here considered as representative building blocks of larger filler networks. In particular, GNRs with different length, relative orientation and number of cross-linkers are investigated. Based on results obtained by Reverse Non-equilibrium Molecular Dynamics simulations, we report correlations relating thermal conductivity and thermal boundary resistance of GNRs with their geometrical and chemical characteristics. These effects in turn affect the overall thermal transmittance of graphene based networks. In the broader context of effective medium theory, such results could be beneficial to predict the thermal transport properties of devices made of polymer matrix composites, which currently find application in energy, automotive, aerospace, electronics, sporting goods, and infrastructure industries.