Processable thermally conductive polyurethane composite fibers

The demand for wearable electronics has resulted in an increasing interest inthe development of functional fibers, with a specific focus upon the development of electrically conductive fibers incorporable into garments. However,the production of thermally conductive fibers for heat dissipation has beenlargely neglected. Owing to the very rapid development of miniaturized wearable electronics, there is an increasing need for the development of thermallyconductive fibers as heat sinks and thermal management processes. In thisstudy, thermally conductive but electrically insulating boron nitride nanopowder (BNNP) fillers are used to effectively enhance the thermal conductivityand mechanical properties of elastomeric polyurethane fibers. Thermal conductivity enhancement of more than 160% is achieved at very low loadings ofBNNP (less than 5 wt%) with an improvement in the mechanical properties ofthe unmodified fiber. These thermally conductive fibers are also incorporatedinto 3D textile structures as a proof of processability