Thermal and electrical transport along MWCNT arrays grown on Inconel substrates

Abstract

This work reports on thermal and electrical conductivities and interface resistances for transport along aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT) films grown on a nickel superalloy (Inconel) substrate. The measured specific thermal resistance of the combined Inconel–CNT and indium–CNT interfaces is of the same order as reported for CNT and silicon or SiO2 interfaces but much higher than theoretical predictions considering perfect contact between the tubes and substrate. Imperfect mechanical contact with the substrate and a large contribution caused by indium–CNT interface are thought to be mainly responsible for the high interface resistances and the low effective values of thermal and electrical conductivities. However, reported results represent an incentive for further research on CNT synthesis on metallic substrates for thermal management applications and pave the way for much easier integration of carbon nanotubes in electronic applications.