Synergetic effect of hexagonal nitride nanopowder and graphene nanosheets on thermal and electrical conductivity of the hBN/GNs/CE resin nanocomposites

In the study, two kinds of nanomaterials [hexagonal nitride nanopowder (hBN) and graphene nanosheets (GNs)] were chosen as resin fillers due to their similar structures and excellent thermal properties. The hBN/CE, GNs/CE and hBN/GNs/CE resin nanocomposites with different hBN and/or GNs contents were prepared by a solution blended method. The structures of hBN and GNs, thermal and electrical conductivities, and thermal properties of the hBN/CE, GNs/CE and hBN/GNs/CE resin nanocomposites were observed with different test instruments. The results showed that the hBN had an analogous structure with GNs. The addition of hBN and GNs in the CE resin made the fractural surfaces of the resin nanocomposites rougher and more fold than that of the pure CE resin. For thermal conductivity, the synergistic effect of the hBN and GNs in the CE resin nanocomposites was better than the hBN or GNs filling the CE resin alone. The thermal diffusivity of GNs was good, meanwhile, the electrical conductivity of GNs was excellent as well. It indicated that the electrical conductivity of the GNs/CE resin nanocomposites was higher than that of the hBN/GNs/CE resin nanocomposites at a given volume contents. The data calculated from the TGA test was roughly corresponding to the experimental hBN and GNs volume content of the hBN/GNs/CE resin nanocomposites.