A Thermal Resistance Network Model for Heat Conduction of Amorphous Polymers

Thermal conductivities (TCs) of the vast majority of amorphous polymers are in a very narrow range, 0.1 ~ 0.5 W m^-1 K^-1, although single polymer chains possess TC of orders-of-magnitude higher. Entanglement of polymer chains plays an important role in determining the TC of bulk polymers. We propose a thermal resistance network (TRN) model for TC in amorphous polymers taking into account the entanglement of molecular chains. Our model explains well the physical origin of universally low TC observed in amorphous polymers. The empirical formulae of pressure and temperature dependence of TC can be successfully reproduced from our model not only in solid polymers but also in polymer melts. We further quantitatively explain the anisotropic TC in oriented polymers.