Thermal Contact Conductance Enhancement With Carbon Nanotube Arrays

The present work reports on an experimental study of carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays used for thermal contact conductance enhancement. Multiwall carbon nanotubes were synthesized directly on silicon wafers using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Thermal contact conductance was experimentally measured with a steady-state contact conductance technique. To reduce heat losses and experimental uncertainty, testing occurred in a high-vacuum environment with radiation shielding, and temperature measurements were made with an infrared camera. In addition, results from other thermal interface materials (phase change material and metal foil) are presented, and the performance of combinations of these materials with CNT arrays are also reported.