Interfacial thermal resistance in thermally conductive polymer composites: A review

Thermally conductive polymer composites have become a research hotspot and an important branch in the fields of thermal conduction such as 5G communication equipment, electronic packaging and energy transmission due to their light weight, easy processing and low manufacturing cost, etc. However, the thermal conductivity coefficients (λ) of reported thermally conductive polymer composites are far from expected, and one of the most important reasons is the inherent interfaces between phases in the polymer composites and the high interfacial thermal resistance (ITR). This review summarizes the research history and the latest progress of ITR in thermally conductive polymer composites from 4 aspects: mathematical models, computer simulations, measurement techniques and strategies to reduce ITR. Furthermore, the problems of researches on ITR in urgent need for solution as well as corresponding possible solutions are illuminated, hoping to provide some guiding suggestions for the rapid and efficient improvement on λ of thermally conductive polymer composites.