Session: 12-07-01: Engineered Materials for Thermal Control

Paper Number: 165811

Corona Electrostatic Discharge Deposition of Nanodiamonds for Enhanced Thermal Performance of Nanofibers 

Nanofibers and fiber mats with thermal management capabilities are receiving significant attention in both academic and industrial fields. This interest is driven by their potential applications in energy storage, thermal insulation, and the enhancement of thermal comfort. To fully realize the benefits of these materials, it is imperative that they possess high thermal conductivity, lightweight characteristics, ease of processing, and cost efficiency. Nanodiamonds stand out for their remarkable mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. Nanodiamonds, which are particles that measure only a few nanometers in size, exhibit exceptional potential for enhancing thermal management in electronic devices. These particles contribute to the overall improvement in the performance of such devices, making them a valuable asset in advanced technological applications. When applied to the surfaces of nanofibers and fiber mats, such as aramid mats, nanodiamonds can substantially improve the mechanical and thermal performance of these materials. The method of depositing nanodiamonds onto fiber surfaces is particularly important. Traditional techniques, including spin coating, dip coating, and ultrasonic dispersion, present several challenges, including inconsistencies in uniformity and the potential for material wastage. Moreover, these methods can occasionally damage the fibers, adversely affecting their properties. In this study, we employed electrostatic corona discharge for the deposition of nanodiamonds on a variety of nanofibers and fiber mats, moving away from traditional techniques such as spin or dip coating. This innovative bottom-up technique allows for the deposition of nanodiamonds without introducing contaminants and is characterized by its simplicity and effectiveness. The electrostatic corona discharge method represents an advanced approach to surface modification, significantly enhancing the mechanical, thermal, and functional characteristics of the fibers. This process generates an ionized field that effectively facilitates the attachment of nanodiamond particles to fiber surfaces. To deepen our understanding of the properties of these nanofibers and fiber mats for diverse applications, we conducted a series of detailed characterization studies, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and thermal conductivity measurements. A comparison between the thermal conductivity of the nanodiamonds and various existing polymer-based thermal management solutions was performed, focusing on the effects of applied voltage, nanodiamond size, and the uniformity of the deposited nanodiamonds on the fiber surface. The results of these analysis indicate a significant improvement in thermal conductivity for the nanofibers and mats across various applications. These enhanced materials have the potential to serve as an advanced multifunctional nanocomposite for different industrial applications from thermal management to flexible electronics, and intelligent wearable technologies.

Presenting Author: Ali Ashraf University of South Florida

Presenting Author Biography: Muhammad Shahbaz Rafique is pursuing his Ph. D studies at the University of South Florida, Tampa. He joined the USF as a graduate student in September 2022. He completed his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) in 2021. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in mechanical design, manufacturing, and automation from Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) in 2018. Subsequent to his graduation, he served as an R&D Structural Development Engineer at a prominent Fortune 500 company. His current research focus lies in the synthesis, characterization, and applications of 2D materials, nanodiamonds.

Authors:

MUHAMMAD SHAHBAZ RAFIQUE University of South Florida
Asif Hasan Ridoy University of South Florida
A K M Abirul Haque University of South Florida
Marcelo Farfan University of South Florida
Ali Ashraf University of South Florida
Ashok Kumar University of South Florida