High temperature applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [v]: thermal conductivity of CNTs reinforced silica nanocomposite

Consolidated functionalized carbon nanotubes/silica refractory ceramic nanocomposites (FCNTs/silica) were fabricated by pressureless sintering technique. Thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites with various amounts of carbon nanotubes (0, 1, and 4 wt.%) were investigated. The thermal conductivity increases with temperature, 1 wt. % FCNTs/silica nanocomposite gave the highest thermal conductivity. Therefore, it can be concluded that the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising reinforcement for improving thermal conductivity of the silica refractory ceramics.