Interfacial layer formation and thermal transport mechanisms in polymer nanocomposites for vibration-damping applications

This study investigates the mechanisms of interfacial layer formation in polymer nanocomposites and their influence on thermal transport properties. Experimental evaluation of epoxy composites modified with Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 particles of varying dispersity demonstrates that reduced modifier size leads to increased effective thermal conductivity, attributed to the formation of three-dimensional physical bond networks between matrix and nanoparticles. A finite-difference numerical model incorporating interfacial thermal resistance (Kapitza resistance) was developed to calculate temperature fields and effective thermal conductivity. Model validation against experimental data yields interfacial layer thicknesses of 6.75 nm for Al 2 O 3 -filled composites at 0.312 volume fraction. The structuring influence of nanoscale modifiers promotes formation of physical and chemical bonds at the interface, enhancing thermal conductivity of the boundary layer. These mechanisms enable targeted control of polymer nanocomposite properties for vibration-damping components requiring simultaneous thermal management and mechanical energy dissipation in automotive and mechanical engineering applications.