Preparation and characterization of thermally conductive polymer composites containing silanized nanodiamonds

Recent advances in light emitting diode (LED) technology have produced products with much higher power and brightness, creating the need for effectively thermal management. Therefore, there is a growing interest in thermally conductive composite materials for the development of excellent heat dissipation materials. Thermal conducting polymer composites were produced utilizing UV-curable monomer mixtures and methacrylate-functionalized nanodiamond (ND). Although UV-radiation curing process in the presence of ND was found to limit to some extent on the synthesis of ND/polymer composites, the surface-modified ND showed more effectiveness in controlling mechanical properties of ND/polymer composites than non-modified ND, due to chemical grafting to polymer matrix. In addition, improved thermal conductivity of polymer composites was accomplished with the use of methacrylate-functionalized ND.