Theory of thermal conductance in carbon nanotube composites

A self-consistent macroscopic theory is developed to explain the extraordinarily high thermal conductance in carbon nanotube composites as well as its nonlinear concentration dependence. For the ultrahigh aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes and also the great contrast between the thermal conductivity of matrix and nanotubes, the self-consistent condition is found crucial in determining the effective thermal conductivity of these composite materials. Within this framework, a more accurate estimation of interfacial thermal resistance effects is obtained, and the origin of enhancement of effective thermal conductivity in carbon nanotube composites is revealed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.