Thermal interface material and method for making same

摘要

A thermal interface material ( 40 ) includes a polymer matrix ( 32 ) and an array of carbon nanotubes ( 22 ) incorporated in the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix has a thermally conductive first face ( 42 ) and an opposite thermally conductive second face ( 44 ). The carbon nanotubes are substantially parallel to each other, and extend between the first and the second faces. A preferred method for making the thermal interface material includes the steps of: (a) forming the array of carbon nanotubes on a substrate ( 11 ); (b) immersing the carbon nanotubes in a liquid prepolymer ( 31 ) such that the liquid prepolymer infuses into the array of carbon nanotubes; (c) polymerizing the liquid prepolymer to obtain the polymer matrix having the carbon nanotubes secured therein; and (d) peeling the polymer matrix having the carbon nanotubes off from the substrate to obtain the thermal interface material.