Phonon scattering at SWCNT–SWCNT junctions in branched carbon nanotube networks

In this research article, we analyze phonon scattering in branched single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) networks with SWCNT–SWCNT T- and X- junctions using the wave packet method. Five phonon branches including the longitudinal acoustic, twisting, transverse acoustic, radial breathing, and flexural optical modes are selected to study energy reflection, ramification, and transmission through T- and X-junctions with (6,6) and (4,4) SWCNTs. The results of the simulations indicate that the diameter of SWCNTs affects phonon scattering at carbon nanotube junctions; T-junctions of (6,6) SWCNTs transmit energy more efficiently when compared to T-junctions with (4,4) SWCNTs. In addition, T-junctions of both (6,6) and (4,4) SWCNTs transmit vibrational energy more efficiently when compared to X-junctions in the same phonon frequency range—for example, in the case of the longitudinal acoustic branch, the average energy transmission at T-junctions for low-frequency phonons (lower than 6 THz) was found to be 1.8–2.4 times higher [for the case of (6.6) and (4,4) SWCNTs, respectively] when compared to the X-junctions. It is also observed that energy transmission at the T-junctions shows a dependency on the phonon group velocity with the higher group velocity phonons showing higher energy transmission; however, for the case of the X-junctions, there is little or no correlation observed between the group velocity and energy transmission indicating a complete energy redistribution of the incoming phonons at the junction. Moreover, for the SWCNT–SWCNT branched networks, the energy ramification at the T-junctions was found to be very similar to that at the X-junctions for both (6,6) and (4,4) SWCNTs indicating transverse thermal transport at the X-junctions to be as efficient as the T-junctions.