The use of high thermal conductive materials for heat transfer is gaining attention as a suitable treatment for improving battery performance. Thermal runaway is a relevant issue for maintaining safety and for proficient employment of accumulators; therefore, new solutions for thermal management are mandatory. For this purpose, a hierarchical nanomaterial made of graphite nanoplatelet has been considered as an interface material. High-content graphite nanoplatelet films have very high thermal conductivity and might improve heat dissipation. This study investigates the effect of a thermally conductive material as a method for safety enhancement for a battery module. A numerical model based on the finite element method has been developed to predict the heat generation during a battery pack’s charge and discharge cycle, using the Multiphysics software Comsol. The lumped battery interface generates appropriate heat sources coupled to the Heat Transfer Interface in 3D geometry. Simulation results show that the protection of neighbouring cells from the interleaved layer is fundamental for avoiding heat propagation and an uncontrollable heating rise of the entire battery pack. The use of graphite nanocomposite sheets could effectively help to uniform the temperature and delay the TR propagation.

The use of interleaving material with viscoelastic properties is one of the most effective solutions to improve the damping capacity of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. Improving composite damping without threatening mechanical performance is challenging and the use of nanomaterials should lead to the target. In this paper, the effect of a nanostructured interlayer based on graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the damping capacity and fracture toughness of CFRP laminates has been investigated. High-content GNP/epoxy (70 wt/30 wt) coating was sprayed on the surface of CF/epoxy prepregs at two different contents (10 and 40 g/m²) and incorporated at the middle plane of a CFRP laminate. The effect of the GNP areal weights on the viscoelastic and mechanical behaviour of the laminates is investigated. Coupons with low GNP content showed a 25% increase in damping capacity with a trivial reduction in the storage modulus. Moreover, a reduction in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and fracture toughness (both mode I and mode II) was observed. The GNP alignment and degree of compaction reached during the process were found to be key parameters on material performances. By increasing the GNP content and compaction, a mitigation on the fracture drop was achieved (−15%).

The use of interleaving material with viscoelastic properties is one of the most effective solutions to improve the damping capacity of CFRP laminates. Improving composite damping without threatening mechanical performance is challenging and the use of nanomaterials should lead to the target. In this paper, the effect of a nanostructured interlayer based on Graphite Nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the damping capacity and fracture toughness of CFRP laminates has been investigated. High-content GNP/Epoxy (70wt/30wt) coating was sprayed on the surface of CF/Epoxy prepregs at two different areal weight (10 and 40 g/m2) and incorporated at the middle-plane of a CFRP laminate. The effect of the GNP areal weight on viscoelastic and the mechanical behaviour of the laminates was investigated. Coupons with low-areal weight GNP interlayer showed a 25% increase in damping capacity with a trivial reduction of the elastic modulus. Moreover, a reduction in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and fracture toughness (both mode I and mode II) was observed in the composites with GNPs interlayer. GNPs alignment and degree of compaction reached during process were found as key parameters on material performances. By increasing the areal weight a mitigation on the mechanical performances drop was achieved (-15%).