Surface modification of a BN/ETDS composite with aniline trimer for high thermal conductivity and excellent mechanical properties

Boron nitride (BN) particles surface-treated with different amounts of aniline trimer (AT) were used to prepare thermally conductive polymer composites with epoxy-terminated dimethylsiloxane (ETDS). For the same weight content of BN, the BN composites surface-treated with AT showed better mechanical strength and thermal conductivity than the pure BN composites. This is because of the intercalation of AT between BN and ETDS, which not only increased the wettability but also provided excellent heat transfer pathways. We determined the optimum surface treatment ratio by varying the amount of AT, and the results are discussed regarding the thermal conductivity, storage modulus, and tensile strength. Finally, we established the optimum AT ratio for BN surface treatment.