Impact of aluminum oxide nanopowder on thermal, optical and surface properties of polysiloxane-aluminum oxide composites as elastomeric thermal pad for light emitting diode application

ABSTRACT

Virgin polysiloxane and aluminum oxide nanopowder (10%–50%) reinforced polysiloxane composite films were prepared and its thermal, optical, surface properties were investigated. Polysiloxane/aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) (50%–50%) composite film sample exhibit high thermal conductivity (k – 0.26 W/mK) and UV absorption, decreased junction temperature (ΔT_J = 25.69°C at 700 mA) and thermal resistance (∆R_th-tot = 12.41 K/W at 700 mA) compared to virgin polysiloxane film. Overall, the prepared composites can be used as an alternate elastomer thermal pad for efficient thermal management as well as UV blocking encapsulant for future UV-free LED application development.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Polysiloxane
• aluminum oxide
• LED
• T3Ster
• thermal conductivity
• surface
• UV absorption

Acknowledgments

Vishnu Chandar Janakiraman expresses gratitude to USM Fellowship for financial support.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. Vishnu Chandar

J. Vishnu Chandar Janakiraman was born in India. He received the B.E.  degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India in 2012 and the M.Sc. degree in Physics from School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia (Main Campus), Malaysia, in 2018. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree with School of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, with focus on biodegradable nanocomposites for PCB, heat sink and other electronic packaging applications and development.

S. Shanmugan

S. Shanmugan Subramani received the bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India, in 1997, the master’s degree in energy science from Madurai Kamarajar University, Madurai, India, in 2000, and the Ph.D. degree in thin film from Anna University, Chennai, India.His current research interest includes identifying the best thermal interface material in solid state devices in semiconductor industries.

D. Mutharasu

D. Mutharasu Devarajan received the M.Sc. degree in physics, and the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in energy science from Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India, in 1991, 1992, and 2000, respectively. He is currently working as Senior Technologist in Materials Centre of Excellence (MCoE) lab, Packaging Engineering, Western Digital Corporation, Malaysia. He has authored/co-authored more than 250 research papers in refereed international journals and conferences.His current research interests include heat transfer in semiconductors and electronic packaging.

M. Khairudin

M. Khairudin Mohamed received M.E. and Ph.D. degrees in engineering (nanotechnology) from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2005 and 2009, respectively. He has been serving the School of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineering Campus, Penang, Malaysia, as academic staff since 2010. His current research interests include nanofabrication of top down and bottom up techniques, and the fabrication of 3-D nanostructures for nanodevices application.

K. I. K. Marsilla

K. I. K. Marsilla Ku Ishak received her PhD (Material & Processing) from University of Waikato, New Zealand. She has been working on formulation and processing of polymer/biodegradable polymer for more than 6 years. She has involved in both industry and research projects to develop and process functional polymer materials. Her field of research interest includes development of biodegradable materials from waste, smart materials (halochromic), development of materials for separation and waste water treatment as well as development of thermoplastics blends for 3D printing.

A. A. Azlan

A. A. Azlan Abdul Aziz graduated with MSc and PhD from University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), United Kingdom. He is now a Professor in Nanomaterials and Nanostructures at School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Since 1992, he has been actively engaged in the research field of solid-state physics and materials science; in particular, amorphous and nanostructure materials designed for sensors application. He is currently one of the lead researchers at Nano-Optoelectronics Research and Technology Laboratory (N.O.R Lab) and as one of the principle researchers of Nano Biotechnology Research and Innovation (NanoBRI@INFORMM) team at Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM) in USM.