Heat transfer in high volume fraction CNT nanocomposites: Effects of inter-nanotube thermal resistance

Monte Carlo simulations were employed to investigate the effective thermal conductivity of carbon nanotube–polystyrene (CNT–PS) nanocomposites at different wt.% of CNT loadings and temperatures. By validating with experimental data, values of phonon transmission probability as well as Kapitza resistance at the CNT–PS interface and at the CNT–CNT contact were calculated. In addition, the observed poor enhancement of thermal conductivity at high CNT concentrations was found to be the result of the CNT–CNT thermal resistance and of the bundle configuration.