Thermal Conductivity Enhancement of Graphene-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites for Flexible Electronics

Abstract

Flexible electronic devices require materials with high thermal conductivity and mechanical flexibility. In this study, graphene nanosheets were dispersed into a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix using solution casting with ultrasonication to ensure uniform distribution. Different graphene loadings (0.5–3 wt%) were tested. Thermal conductivity measurements using the transient hot wire method showed a maximum improvement of 135% at 2 wt% loading, while maintaining film flexibility. Tensile testing indicated that moderate graphene content enhanced strength, but higher loadings led to reduced elongation at break due to agglomeration. Electrical resistivity decreased with increasing graphene, indicating improved charge transport, which is desirable for conductive pathways in flexible circuits. These findings demonstrate that graphene-PVA nanocomposites balance thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties, making them suitable for next-generation wearable and flexible electronics.