Understanding length dependences of effective thermal conductivity of nanowires

We have studied the length dependence of effective thermal conductivity of silicon nanowires by a thermon gas model and MD simulations. After modifications of the force term by considering the resistance enhancements from thermon gas interactions with the confined surfaces and the ends (inlet and outlet), the theoretical predictions of effective thermal conductivity agree well with the results of MD simulations in the length range of 4 to 550 nm. The result suggests that the resistance enhancement effect by thermon–boundary interactions, instead of the heat inertia, plays the dominating role in the non-Fourier heat conduction in silicon nanowires.

► We propose a new model for resistance enhancements of thermon gas flow in nanowires. ► After modifications, the theoretical predictions agree with MD results in a wide length range. ► The thermon–boundary interactions play dominating role in heat conduction in nanowires.