Thermal conductivity of transparent and flexible polymers containing fillers: A literature review

Advances in micro and nanotechnology have motivated a number of recent studies on transparent and flexible polymers (TFP). In this study, a literature review on a thermal conductivity (TC) of these polymers containing fillers is first presented. Three major types of TFPs considered are poly-dimethyl siloxane (PDMS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyimides (PI). It was found from the literature review that carbon-based fillers, particularly multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and ceramic fillers have been considered as the most promising candidate for the TC enhancement of PDMS and PI, respectively. However, since very limited number of studies considered the TC of PET composites, it becomes a motivation for further investigations. This study provides better understandings in the research trends of polymer sciences, particularly the TFPs.