Synergistic Effects of Functional CNTs and h-BN on Enhanced Thermal Conductivity of Epoxy/Cyanate Matrix Composites

Epoxy/cyanate resin matrix composites (AG80/CE) with improved thermal conductivity and mechanical properties were obtained with synergetic enhancement with functional carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). AG80/CE performed as polymeric matrix and h-BN as conductivity filler which formed the main thermal conductivity channels. Small amounts of f-CNTs were introduced to repair defects in conductivity channels and networks. To confirm the synergetic enhancements, the thermal conductivity was investigated and analyzed with Agari’s model. Results indicated that with introduction of 0.5 wt% f-CNTs, the thermal conductivity coefficient (ƛ) increased to 0.745 W/mk, which is 1.38 times that of composites with just h-BN. Furthermore, the flexural strength and modulus of composites with 0.5 wt% f-CNTs were 85 MPa and 3.5 GPa. The glass transition temperature (T(g)) of composites with 0.4 wt% was 285 °C and the initial decomposition temperature (T(5%)) was 385 °C, indicating outstanding thermal stability. The obtained h-BN/f-CNTs reinforced AG80/CE composites present great potential for packaging continuous integration and miniaturization of microelectronic devices.