UC San Diego

Nanocomposite materials have been sought after because of their reduced thermal conductivity. Nanocomposites are fabricated by compacting nanostructured materials (i.e. nanoparticles, nanowires, etc.) into bulk composites. The reduction in thermal conductivity is attributed to increased thermal boundary resistance at the interfaces between individual nanostructures in the composite. This resistance is attributed to the scattering of phonons at the nanostructure interfaces, as described by the diffuse mismatch model. This thesis is concerned with the reduced thermal conductivity of compacted silicon nanowires. Reduced thermal conductivity of compacted silicon nanowires has been predicted through first-principles modeling. This treatise will present analytical and computer modeling and experimental results for the thermal conductivity of compacted silicon nanowires