Highly oriented BN-based TIMs with high through-plane thermal conductivity and low compression modulus

Abstract

In the pursuit of effective thermal management for electronic devices, it is crucial to develop insulation thermal interface materials (TIMs) that exhibit exceptional through-plane thermal conductivity, low thermal resistance, and minimal compression modulus. Boron nitride (BN), given its outstanding thermal conduction and insulation properties, has garnered significant attention as a potential material for this purpose. However, previously reported BN-based composites have consistently demonstrated through-plane thermal conductivity below 10 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ and high compression modulus, whilst also presenting challenges in terms of mass production. In this study, low molecular weight polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and large-size BN were utilized as the foundational materials. Utilizing a rolling-curing integrated apparatus, we successfully accomplished the continuous preparation of large-sized, high-adhesion BN films. Subsequent implementation of stacking, cold pressing, and vertical cutting techniques enabled the attainment of a remarkable BN-based TIM, characterized by an unprecedented through-plane thermal conductivity of up to 12.11 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, remarkably low compression modulus (55 kPa), and total effective thermal resistance (0.16 °C in² W⁻¹, 50 Psi). During the TIMs performance evaluation, our TIMs demonstrated superior heat dissipation capabilities compared with commercial TIMs. At a heating power density of 40 W cm⁻², the steady-state temperature of the ceramic heating element was found to be 7 °C lower than that of the commercial TIMs. This pioneering feat not only contributes valuable technical insights for the development of high-performance insulating TIMs but also establishes a solid foundation for widespread implementation in thermal management applications across a range of electronic devices.