Agradecimentos: This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program (2018R1C1B6008478) and the Program for Fostering Next-generation Researchers in Engineering (2017H1D8A2030449) through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT&Future Planning and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (Grant FA9550-13-1-0084). C.S.T is thankful for the support by AOARD Grant No. FA2386-19-1-4039. CST acknowledges Ramanujan fellowship. Y.M.J. thanks São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) (Grant No. 2016/12341-5) for financial support. Y.M.J. and D.S.G. acknowledge the Center for Computational Engineering and Sciences at University of Campinas (FAPESP/CEPID Grant No. 2013/ 08293-7) Ver menos

Abstract: This study suggests the simple and effective synthesis method of chemically interconnected hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) hybrid materials (BN-Fe-CNT) with aminosilane functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles (NH2-Fe) via amide bond formations. Synthesized BN-Fe-CNT was acting as an effective filler that enhanced the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polyimide (PI) nanocomposites and accelerated polycondensation reaction of poly(amic acid) (PAA) due to its high thermal conductivity and heat diffusivity. At a 2 wt% filler reinforcement, the in-plane thermal conductivity of the BN-Fe-CNT/PI reached 15 W m(-1) K-1 at 200 degrees C, which represents an enhancement of approximately 11430% compared to that of pure PI. Moreover, thermal stability was enhanced from 400 degrees C to 570 degrees C. Furthermore, the connected CNTs between the individual h-BN produced electron pathways through the PI matrix, with the BN-Fe-CNT/PI exhibiting 10(6)times higher electrical conductivity than that of pure PI. The results in this study clearly suggested that the BN-Fe-CNT could be applicable as an effective multi-functional reinforcement in the fabrication of lightweight polymer nanocomposites with superior mechanical properties, high thermal properties, and high electrical conductivities Ver menos