Personalized customization of in-plane thermal conductive networks by a novel electrospinning method

Abstract

Using one-dimensional (1D) nanofibers to induce the assembly of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets is of great practical significance; naturally, electrospinning, as the most effective method to prepare long nanofibers, has attracted widespread attention. In this paper, a novel electrospinning method that can induce the directional deposition of nanofibers through electrode arrays has been proposed, optimized, and further applied to regulate the aligned assembly of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) to prepare highly thermally conductive and electrically insulating polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/BNNS composites. In particular, the intermittent-contact collection mode of electrospun nanofibers has further enriched the electrospinning system. The composites prepared by our strategy possess high in-plane thermal conductivity (18.86 W/(m·K)), volume resistivity (nearly 10¹⁵ Ω cm), and breakdown strength (nearly 380 kV/mm). Furthermore, excellent mechanical properties, flexibility, and thermal conduction capability are vividly demonstrated. The proposed electrospinning method and the prepared PVDF/BNNS composites have great potential in the thermal management application of electronic devices in the 5G era.