Heat dissipation on electrical conductor composites by combination of carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets

This work analyzes the electrical heating by Joule’s effect of epoxy resins doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) or a combination of both. The main objective is to obtain heat-dissipating materials with relatively high electrical conductivity for future applications in smart electrical and electronic devices. In addition, a thermal and mechanical characterization of the composites is carried out in order to study the combined effect of CNT and GNP. Different nanocomposites were manufactured by a three-roll mill process, as the dispersion technique. A thermal infrared camera was used to acquire the temperature’s increment due to Joule’s heating. CNT addition induces an important increase in electrical conductivity, which has associated an important heating. The combined addition of both nanofillers, GNP and CNT, scarcely modifies the electrical conductivity, but it induces an important increase in thermal conductivity of the composites. This helps lead to a more homogeneous heating and therefore a more efficient heat dissipation.