Analytical and numerical of heat conduction in graphene foams considering interfacial thermal resistance

Graphene foams (GFs), well-known for their high thermal conductivity and a large surface area, are ideal materials for improving thermal conductivity in various applications. Accurately characterizing their thermal properties is essential for their effective design and optimization. Traditional theoretical analyses often overlook the influence of random pores, leading to overly idealistic models. Additionally, interfacial thermal resistance (ITR) in GF composites plays a critical role in determining the extent of thermal reinforcement. Therefore, this study proposes an analytical model that integrates thermal resistance series-parallel and fractal geometry theory to evaluate the effective thermal conductivity of GFs, considering random pores and ITR. Notably, within a wide porosity range of 0.72–0.90, the predictions of the model are in good agreement with reported measurements. The high ITR limits heat conduction from the solid phase to the matrix phase, creating more tortuous conduction pathways. Furthermore, validation through direct numerical simulations corroborates these findings, reinforcing the accuracy of the model. Overall, both theoretical predictions and simulations show that the solid phase having excellent thermal conductivity can mitigate the detrimental effects of ITR on heat conduction, ensuring that GFs maintain their high thermal performance.