The present invention relates to heat-transfer fluids with low conductivity which comprise a base fluid and at least one aliphatic carboxamide and are useful for diverse applications, for example in fuel cells. it was found that aliphatic carboxamides significantly outperform aromatic carboxamides with regard to maintaining low conductivity upon aging at increased temperatures. Furthermore, it was surprisingly found that the compositions in accordance with the invention are capable of maintaining this low electrical conductivity upon aging at increased temperatures in the presence of aluminum substrates.

A thermally conductive three-dimensional (3-D) graphene-polymer composite material, methods of making, and uses thereof are described. The thermally conductive three-dimensional (3-D) graphene-polymer composite material contains: (a) a porous 3-D graphene structure comprising a network of graphene layers that are attached to one another through a carbonized organic polymer bridging agent; and (b) a polymer material impregnated within the porous 3-D graphene structure, wherein the thermally conductive 3-D graphene-polymer composite material has a thermal conductivity of 10 W/m.Math.K to 16 W/m.Math.K.

A thermally conductive three-dimensional (3-D) graphene-polymer composite material, methods of making, and uses thereof are described. The thermally conductive three-dimensional (3-D) graphene-polymer composite material contains: (a) a porous 3-D graphene structure comprising a network of graphene layers that are attached to one another through a carbonized organic polymer bridging agent; and (b) a polymer material impregnated within the porous 3-D graphene structure, wherein the thermally conductive 3-D graphene-polymer composite material has a thermal conductivity of 10 W/m.Math.K to 16 W/m.Math.K.

Provided are a slurry of graphene oxides with different degrees of oxidation, a composite film of graphene oxides, and a graphene heat-conducting film. The slurry of the graphene oxides comprises the graphene oxides and a solvent, and the graphene oxides include a strong graphene oxide and a weak graphene oxide, wherein the slurry comprises two graphene oxides with different degrees of oxidation, which can increase a carbon content in the graphene oxide per unit mass, so that the finally obtained graphene heat-conducting film has more carbon.

Provided are a slurry of graphene oxides with different degrees of oxidation, a composite film of graphene oxides, and a graphene heat-conducting film. The slurry of the graphene oxides comprises the graphene oxides and a solvent, and the graphene oxides include a strong graphene oxide and a weak graphene oxide, wherein the slurry comprises two graphene oxides with different degrees of oxidation, which can increase a carbon content in the graphene oxide per unit mass, so that the finally obtained graphene heat-conducting film has more carbon.

Nanoporous composite separators are disclosed for use in batteries and capacitors comprising a nanoporous inorganic material and an organic polymer material. The inorganic material may comprise Al.sub.2O.sub.3, AlO(OH) or boehmite, AlN, BN, SiN, ZnO, ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, or combinations thereof. The nanoporous composite separator may have a porosity of between 35-50%. The average pore size of the nanoporous composite separator may be between 10-90 nm. The separator may be formed by coating a substrate with a dispersion including the inorganic material, organic material, and a solvent. Once dried, the coating may be removed from the substrate, thus forming the nanoporous composite separator. A nanoporous composite separator may provide increased thermal conductivity and dimensional stability at temperatures above 200° C. compared to polyolefin separators.

Nanoporous composite separators are disclosed for use in batteries and capacitors comprising a nanoporous inorganic material and an organic polymer material. The inorganic material may comprise Al.sub.2O.sub.3, AlO(OH) or boehmite, AlN, BN, SiN, ZnO, ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, or combinations thereof. The nanoporous composite separator may have a porosity of between 35-50%. The average pore size of the nanoporous composite separator may be between 10-90 nm. The separator may be formed by coating a substrate with a dispersion including the inorganic material, organic material, and a solvent. Once dried, the coating may be removed from the substrate, thus forming the nanoporous composite separator. A nanoporous composite separator may provide increased thermal conductivity and dimensional stability at temperatures above 200° C. compared to polyolefin separators.

A thermal interface material comprises a polymeric elastomer material, a thermally conductive filler, and a coupling agent, along with other optional components. In one exemplary heat transfer material, a coupling agent having the formula: ##STR00001##
where Y is either a cyclic structure or Y is represented by Formula II: ##STR00002##
where: a=1 or 2 b=2 or 3 R.sub.1 contains at least one of a neoalkoxy group, an ether group, or a C2-C30 straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group R′.sub.2 and R″.sub.2 are independently selected from Hydrogen, a neoalkoxy group, an ether group, and a C2-C30 straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group X=Group four transition metal; and where a=1, R.sub.3 contains at least one of a neoalkoxy group, an ether group, or a C2-C30 straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group; or where a=2, the two R.sub.3 groups independently contain at least one of a neoalkoxy group, an ether group, or a C2-C30 straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, aryl, or alkaryl groups or the two R.sub.3 groups together form an alkyldiolato group and, if Y is a cyclic structure, X is a member of the cyclic structure and the cyclic structure also contains a pyrophosphate group such as Formula II shown above.

A thermal interface material comprises a polymeric elastomer material, a thermally conductive filler, and a coupling agent, along with other optional components. In one exemplary heat transfer material, a coupling agent having the formula: ##STR00001##
where Y is either a cyclic structure or Y is represented by Formula II: ##STR00002##
where: a=1 or 2 b=2 or 3 R.sub.1 contains at least one of a neoalkoxy group, an ether group, or a C2-C30 straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group R′.sub.2 and R″.sub.2 are independently selected from Hydrogen, a neoalkoxy group, an ether group, and a C2-C30 straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group X=Group four transition metal; and where a=1, R.sub.3 contains at least one of a neoalkoxy group, an ether group, or a C2-C30 straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group; or where a=2, the two R.sub.3 groups independently contain at least one of a neoalkoxy group, an ether group, or a C2-C30 straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, aryl, or alkaryl groups or the two R.sub.3 groups together form an alkyldiolato group and, if Y is a cyclic structure, X is a member of the cyclic structure and the cyclic structure also contains a pyrophosphate group such as Formula II shown above.

An article comprises a substrate, a first functional polymeric phase change material, and a plurality of containment structures that contain the first functional polymeric phase change material. The article may further comprise a second phase change material chemically bound to at least one of the plurality of containment structures or the substrate. In certain embodiments, the article further comprises a second phase change material and a binder that contains at least one of the first polymeric phase change material and the second phase change material. The containment structure may be a microcapsule or a particulate confinement material