{"title":"Hexagonal boron nitride for enhancing directional thermal conductivity in polymer matrices","authors":"Anuj Dahiwal, Balasubramanian Kandasubramanian, Manisha Kulthe, Sajal Umak","doi":"10.1007/s10965-026-04821-w","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n <p>The improvement of Directional Thermal Conductivity (DTC) within the polymer-based composites is important for high-performance heat management, particularly in power storage devices and technologies. The combination of electrical insulation, low density, and strong in-plane Thermal Conductivity (TC) has made hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) a desirable filler among other materials in use. To fully utilize h-BN’s potential, challenges pertaining to its orientation, dispersion, and interfacial compatibility within the polymer matrix must be resolved. An approach to enhancing DTC in composites based on h-BN is described. To enhance filler–matrix compatibility and orientation, this review discusses surface modification procedures such as hydroxylation (acid treatment, plasma exposure, or thermal oxidation) and Silanization (silane coupling agents like KH560 and APTES). Key factors influencing DTC, including filler size, aspect ratio, orientation angle, h-BN conductivity, matrix conductivity, and interface thermal resistance, are investigated. The review also addresses isotopic engineering of boron as ¹¹B enrichment to enhance intrinsic TC while reducing phonon scattering. Fabrication methods like vacuum-assisted filtering, shear-induced methods, and magnetic/electric field alignment are discussed. This review is the first that analytically contemplates advanced characterization techniques encompassing optothermal Raman spectroscopy, MTPS, and Transient Plane Source for DTC characteristics of h-BN/polymer composites. In conclusion, the review offers a thorough framework for improving h-BN/polymer composites using alignment, isotopic engineering, and surface modification methods. It lays the groundwork for scalable, directionally conductive materials appropriate for new applications in temperature control, energy retention, and semiconductors by focusing on both production techniques and sophisticated characterization tools.</p>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":658,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Polymer Research","volume":"33 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8000,"publicationDate":"2026-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Polymer Research","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10965-026-04821-w","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"POLYMER SCIENCE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The improvement of Directional Thermal Conductivity (DTC) within the polymer-based composites is important for high-performance heat management, particularly in power storage devices and technologies. The combination of electrical insulation, low density, and strong in-plane Thermal Conductivity (TC) has made hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) a desirable filler among other materials in use. To fully utilize h-BN’s potential, challenges pertaining to its orientation, dispersion, and interfacial compatibility within the polymer matrix must be resolved. An approach to enhancing DTC in composites based on h-BN is described. To enhance filler–matrix compatibility and orientation, this review discusses surface modification procedures such as hydroxylation (acid treatment, plasma exposure, or thermal oxidation) and Silanization (silane coupling agents like KH560 and APTES). Key factors influencing DTC, including filler size, aspect ratio, orientation angle, h-BN conductivity, matrix conductivity, and interface thermal resistance, are investigated. The review also addresses isotopic engineering of boron as ¹¹B enrichment to enhance intrinsic TC while reducing phonon scattering. Fabrication methods like vacuum-assisted filtering, shear-induced methods, and magnetic/electric field alignment are discussed. This review is the first that analytically contemplates advanced characterization techniques encompassing optothermal Raman spectroscopy, MTPS, and Transient Plane Source for DTC characteristics of h-BN/polymer composites. In conclusion, the review offers a thorough framework for improving h-BN/polymer composites using alignment, isotopic engineering, and surface modification methods. It lays the groundwork for scalable, directionally conductive materials appropriate for new applications in temperature control, energy retention, and semiconductors by focusing on both production techniques and sophisticated characterization tools.
期刊介绍：
Journal of Polymer Research provides a forum for the prompt publication of articles concerning the fundamental and applied research of polymers. Its great feature lies in the diversity of content which it encompasses, drawing together results from all aspects of polymer science and technology.
As polymer research is rapidly growing around the globe, the aim of this journal is to establish itself as a significant information tool not only for the international polymer researchers in academia but also for those working in industry. The scope of the journal covers a wide range of the highly interdisciplinary field of polymer science and technology, including:
polymer synthesis;
polymer reactions;
polymerization kinetics;
polymer physics;
morphology;
structure-property relationships;
polymer analysis and characterization;
physical and mechanical properties;
electrical and optical properties;
polymer processing and rheology;
application of polymers;
supramolecular science of polymers;
polymer composites.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
