Evaluation of Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Bi-In-Sn/WO3 Composites for Efficient Heat Dissipation

Phase change materials (PCMs) offer promising solutions for efficient thermal management in electronic devices, energy storage systems, and renewable energy applications due to their capacity to store and release significant thermal energy during phase transitions. This study investigates the thermal and physical properties of Bi-In-Sn/WO₃ composites, specifically for their use as phase change thermal interface materials (PCM-TIMs). The Bi-In-Sn/WO₃ composite was synthesized through mechanochemical grinding, which enabled the uniform dispersion of WO₃ particles within the Bi-In-Sn alloy matrix. The addition of WO₃ particles markedly improved the composite's thermal conductivity and transformed its physical form into a putty-like consistency, addressing leakage issues typically associated with pure Bi-In-Sn alloys. Microstructural analyses demonstrated the existence of a continuous interface between the liquid metal and WO₃ phases, with no gaps, ensuring structural stability. Thermal performance tests demonstrated that the Bi-In-Sn/WO₃ composite achieved improved thermal conductivity, and reduced volumetric latent heat, and there was a slight increase in thermal contact resistance with higher WO₃ content. These findings highlight the potential of Bi-In-Sn/WO₃ composites for utilization as advanced PCM-TIMs, offering enhanced heat dissipation, stability, and physical integrity for high-performance electronic and energy systems.