A mini review on factors affecting network in thermally enhanced polymer composites: filler content, shape, size, and tailoring methods

To enhance the thermal conductivity of polymers, a polymer composite system is an effective method, where types of thermally conductive fillers are often introduced into the polymer matrices to form special paths for the phonons or electrons. After years of studies, it can be concluded that selective fillers of different aspect ratio, size, and content and tailoring methods of filler network often result in multiple arrangements of filler network in space, which greatly affect the thermal conductivity of polymer composites. Thus, in this review, we summarize the main affecting factors of filler network, including the types, sizes, and shapes of fillers. Later, we discuss the latest progress of approaches to tailor the filler networks and outline the challenges and prospects of thermally conductive polymer composites.Graphical abstract