Construction of efficient thermally conductive networks with macroscopic separated architectures for polymer based energetic composites

Abstract Confinement of thermally conductive fillers is crucial for polymer based composites to achieve highly efficient filler-filler contact and construct conductive pathways. In order to obtain superior thermal conductivity, a novel strategy was proposed to construct separated architectures in energetic composites by selective distribution of graphene nanoplates (GNPs) in confined and continuous spaces. The thermal conductivity of the 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX) @fluoropolymer (PF) @GNPs composites with incorporation of GNPs in separated architectures was markedly improved to 1.145 W/m K at a GNPs loading of 1.74 vol%, which was 197.2% higher than that of raw HMX@PF without GNPs. Theoretical simulation suggested that the enhanced thermal conductivity was mainly ascribed to the evidently reduced interfacial and contact thermal resistance. In addition, the characteristic impact energy (EBAM) was improved by 43% due to the good capability of heat dissipation, indicating improved safety performance for such energetic composites. This work provides a general and efficient strategy for the fabrication of high-performance energetic materials with high thermal conductivity, low sensitivity, and superior thermal shock resistance.