Research on thermal properties of composite pad based on Bucky paper and Polyaniline

Abstract

The Bucky paper was fabricated by micro-filtration of a suspension of carbon nanotubes. In this method, the carbon nanotubes were randomly arranged to form the porous structure sheet called the Bucky paper. The Bucky paper transferred heat in random directions through the structure and this transmission was most dependent on the contact of individual carbon nanotubes. In this research, Polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized onto the Bucky paper via the electrochemical method. SEM images showed that PANI covered around the carbon nanotubes and their contact points. We assumed that PANI helped to decrease the volume of air in the structure and increase the mechanical properties of the Bucky/PANI composite. Thermal conductivity increased from 0.26 W/m.K to 0.51 W/m.K for original Bucky paper and Bucky/PANI composite, respectively.