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Carbon Nanotube Thermal Pastes for Improving Thermal Contacts

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Abstract

The use of 0.6 vol.% single-walled carbon nanotubes in a poly(ethylene glycol)-based dispersion gave a thermal paste that was as effective as solder for improving thermal contacts. A thermal contact conductance of 20 × 104 W m−2 K−1 was attained. An excessive amount of nanotubes (e.g. 1.8 vol.%) degraded the performance, because of conformability loss. The nanotubes were more effective than hexagonal boron nitride particles but were less effective than carbon black, which gave a thermal contact conductance of 30 × 104 W m−2 K−1.

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  1. Yunsheng Xu

    Present address: J & J Mechanic, 2386 New Street, Burlington, ON, Canada, L7R 1J7

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  1. Composite Materials Research Laboratory, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260-4400, USA

    Yunsheng Xu, Chia-Ken Leong & D.D.L. Chung

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Xu, Y., Leong, CK. & Chung, D. Carbon Nanotube Thermal Pastes for Improving Thermal Contacts. J. Electron. Mater. 36, 1181–1187 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-007-0188-3

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