Covalently Interconnected BN/CNTs Hybrid Networks Enhance the Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Insulation of Phase Change Composites for Advanced Thermal Management

ABSTRACT Achieving efficient thermal management in high‐power and flexible electronic devices remains a major challenge, particularly in the development of polymer‐based phase change materials (PPCMs). Here, we report a PPCMs constructed by embedding covalently bonded boron nitride/carbon nanotubes (BN/CNTs) hybrids into a paraffin wax/ polydimethylsiloxane (PW/PDMS) matrix, which is called PW/PDMS@BN/CNTs (PPBC). The hybrids were synthesized through dopamine‐assisted polymerization and amidation between amino‐functionalized BN and carboxylated CNTs, forming continuous, chemically connected heat transfer networks. Structural analyses confirm stable amide linkages and homogeneous dispersion of fillers. The optimized PPBC exhibits a maximum thermal conductivity of 5.92 W·m −1 ·K −1 and a maximum latent heat of 92.5 J·g −1 . It also shows excellent cycling stability and leakage resistance with < 2% mass loss after 100 cycles. Thermal management tests reveal that PPBC coatings reduce operating temperatures of lithium‐ion batteries and light‐emitting diode (LED) chips by 10°C–30°C, achieving uniform heat dissipation and long‐term reliability. In active modes, PPBC films deliver solar‐thermal and electro‐thermal conversion efficiencies exceeding 80%, remaining stable over 50 cycles. This work offers a generalizable strategy for designing flexible, high‐performance, and electrically insulating PPCMs for advanced thermal management applications.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-01-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202531090
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Thermal properties of materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
32.17
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article

Covalently Interconnected BN/CNTs Hybrid Networks Enhance the Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Insulation of Phase Change Composites for Advanced Thermal Management

Donghao Fan, Xiaotian Peng, Shuai Yin, Guangtai Zhang et al.
2 citations
Advanced Functional Materials
Thermal properties of materials
32.17
article

Covalently Interconnected BN/CNTs Hybrid Networks Enhance the Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Insulation of Phase Change Composites for Advanced Thermal Management

Donghao Fan, Xiaotian Peng, Shuai Yin, Guangtai Zhang, Hao Peng, Minyan Zhao
article en
2 citations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Achieving efficient thermal management in high‐power and flexible electronic devices remains a major challenge, particularly in the development of polymer‐based phase change materials (PPCMs). Here, we report a PPCMs constructed by embedding covalently bonded boron nitride/carbon nanotubes (BN/CNTs) hybrids into a paraffin wax/ polydimethylsiloxane (PW/PDMS) matrix, which is called PW/PDMS@BN/CNTs (PPBC). The hybrids were synthesized through dopamine‐assisted polymerization and amidation between amino‐functionalized BN and carboxylated CNTs, forming continuous, chemically connected heat transfer networks. Structural analyses confirm stable amide linkages and homogeneous dispersion of fillers. The optimized PPBC exhibits a maximum thermal conductivity of 5.92 W·m −1 ·K −1 and a maximum latent heat of 92.5 J·g −1 . It also shows excellent cycling stability and leakage resistance with < 2% mass loss after 100 cycles. Thermal management tests reveal that PPBC coatings reduce operating temperatures of lithium‐ion batteries and light‐emitting diode (LED) chips by 10°C–30°C, achieving uniform heat dissipation and long‐term reliability. In active modes, PPBC films deliver solar‐thermal and electro‐thermal conversion efficiencies exceeding 80%, remaining stable over 50 cycles. This work offers a generalizable strategy for designing flexible, high‐performance, and electrically insulating PPCMs for advanced thermal management applications.

Advanced Functional Materials
Nanjing Tech University (CN), North China Electric Power University (CN), Nanjing University of Science and Technology (CN), Frontier Environmental Technology (United States) (US)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Thermal properties of materials
32.17
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