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Title: Thermal conductivity model for nanofiber networks

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5008582· OSTI ID:1432440
 [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [1];  [1];  [3]
  1. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
  2. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); China Univ. of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou (China)
  3. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Understanding thermal transport in nanofiber networks is essential for their applications in thermal management, which are used extensively as mechanically sturdy thermal insulation or high thermal conductivity materials. In this study, using the statistical theory and Fourier's law of heat conduction while accounting for both the inter-fiber contact thermal resistance and the intrinsic thermal resistance of nanofibers, an analytical model is developed to predict the thermal conductivity of nanofiber networks as a function of their geometric and thermal properties. A scaling relation between the thermal conductivity and the geometric properties including volume fraction and nanofiber length of the network is revealed. This model agrees well with both numerical simulations and experimental measurements found in the literature. This model may prove useful in analyzing the experimental results and designing nanofiber networks for both high and low thermal conductivity applications.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308; AR0000743
OSTI ID:
1432440
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1422261
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5500-71269; TRN: US1802659
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 123, Issue 8; ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 36 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (8)

A Clear, Strong, and Thermally Insulated Transparent Wood for Energy Efficient Windows journal November 2019
High performance of carbon-particle/bulk-wood bi-layer system for solar steam generation journal October 2018
High cross‐plane thermoelectric performance of carbon nanotube sponge films journal December 2019
Solar vapor generation optimization of a carbon‐black/wood‐flour system with strength enhanced by polystyrene journal April 2020
Effect of fiber alignment on dielectric response in the 1–3 connectivity fiber/polymer composites by quantitative evaluation journal September 2018
Thermoelectric Properties of Carbon Nanotubes journal November 2019
A Clear, Strong, and Thermally Insulated Transparent Wood for Energy Efficient Windows journal June 2020
Utilization of SiC and Cu Particles to Enhance Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Al Matrix Composites journal August 2019

Figures / Tables (8)


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