MODIFIED NITRIDE PARTICLES, OLIGOMER F JNC ΤΪΟΝ AL IZED NITRIDE PARTICLES, POLYMER BASED COMPOSITES AND METHODS OF FORMING

THEREOF FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following is directed to a method of surface modifying nitride particles and incorporation of the same in a polymer based composite. M ore particularly, the following is directed to a method of surface modifying boron nitride particles and incorporation of the same in a polymer based composite.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Nitride particles may be utilized as a filler material added to polymer based composites as thermal fillers, to enhance mechanical properties of the composites, such as material wear resistance or peel strength, or as a solid lubricant. However, nitride particles are very difficult to disperse uniformly within an organic polymer matrix. Low dispersio of the nitride particles minimizes any beneficial effect that the filler material may have in the polymer based composite.

Accordingly, the industry continues to demand improved nitride particle filler material that is more dispersible within a polymer based composite while still maintaining its ability to improve thermal conductivity, peel strength and other mechanical properties of the polymer based composite.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, a surface modified nitride particle may include a nitride particle covalently bonded via a urethane moiety to an aromatic compound. The surface modified nitride particle may further include at least two auxiliary moieties.

According to another aspect, a method of forming a modified nitride particle may include activating a nitride particle to form at least one hydroxyl group and chemically reacting an aromatic compound with the at least one hydroxyl group on the nitride particle. The aromatic compound may include at least two auxiliary moieties.

According to yet another aspect, an oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include a nitride particle, an aromatic compound covalently bonded via a urethane moiety to the nitride particle and at least two oligomers covalently bonded to the aromatic compound via at least two auxiliary moieties of the aromatic compound. According to still another aspect, a method of forming an oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include activating a nitride particle to form at least one hydroxyl group, chemically reacting an aromatic compound with the at least one hydroxyl group on the nitride particle, The aromatic compound may include at least two auxiliary moieties. The method may further include chemically reacting at least two oligomers covalently bonded to the aromatic compound via the at least two auxiliary moieties.

According to yet another aspect, a polymer based composite may include at least one polymer component and a modified nitride filler material dispersed within the polymer component. The modified nitride filler material may include a nitride particle, an aromatic compound covalently bonded via a urethane linkage to the nitride particle and at least two oligomer components covalently bonded to the aromatic compound.

According to still another aspect, a method of forming a polymer based composite may include combining at least one polymer component with a nitride filler material of oligomer functionalized nitride particles. The oligomer functionalized nitride particles may include a nitride particle, an aromatic compound covalently bonded via a urethane linkage to the nitride particle and at least two oligomer components covalently bonded to the aromatic compound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerous features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 includes an illustration of a flow diagram of a process for forming a modified nitride particle according to embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 includes an illustration of a flow diagram of a process for forming an oligomer functionalized nitride particle according to embodiments described herein;

FIG. 3 includes an illustration of a flow diagram of a process for forming polymer based composite that includes oligomer functionalized nitride particles according to embodiments described herein; and

FIG. 4 includes a plot comparing the peel strength of a sample polymer based composite formed according to an embodiment described herein with two comparison sample polymer based composites.

Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TOE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following is directed to methods of forming a modified nitride particle, a modified nitride particle, methods of forming an oligomer functionalized nitride particle, an oligomer functionalized nitride particle, methods of forming a polymer based composite including oligomer functionalized nitride particles, and a polymer based composite including oligomer functionalized nitride particles.

Referring first to methods of forming a surface modified nitride particle, FIG. 1 illustrates a nitride particle surface modification process 100. Surface nitride particle modification process 100 may include a first step 1 10 of providing a nitride particle, a second step 120 of activating the surface of the nitride particle by creating at least one hydroxyl group, a third step 130 of chemically reacting an aromatic compound with the at least one hydroxyl group on the nitride particle.

According to certain embodiments, surface nitride particle modification process 100 may include modifying any nitride particle suitable for surface modification according to embodiments described herein. According to certain embodiments, the nitride particle may be a crystalline nitride particle or a partially crystalline nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the nitride particle may be a boron nitride particle or a silicon nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the boron nitride particle may be a cubic boron nitride particle. According to yet other embodiments, the boron nitride particle may be a hexagonal boron nitride particle.

Referring to second step 120, activating the surface of the nitride particle by creating at least one hydroxyl group may include applying an ultrasonic treatment to the nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, applying the ultrasonic treatment may include applying an ultrasonic treatment with hydrogen peroxide to the nitride particle. According to yet another embodiment, applying the ultrasonic treatment may include applying an ultrasonic treatment in a water based system. According to still other embodiments, applying the ultrasonic treatment may include applying an ultrasonic treatment in suspension.

According to yet another embodiment, activating the surface of the nitride particle by creating at least one hydroxyl group may include applying a thermal treatment to the nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, activating the surface of the nitride particle may include preferentially creating hydroxyl groups on the surface of the nitride particles, It will be appreciated that preferentially creating hydroxyl groups on the surface of the nitride particle may be understood to mean that a majority of the polar groups created on the surface of the nitride particle are hydroxyl groups. For example, preferentially creating hydroxyl groups on the surface of the nitride particle may include creating more hydroxyl groups than polar amine groups.

Referring to third step 130, chemically reacting an aromatic compound with the at least one hydroxyl group on the nitride particle may include creating a covalent bond between the aromatic compound and the nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, creating a covalent bond between the aromatic compound and the nitride particle may include creating a covalent bond via a urethane linkage to the nitride particle, as illustrated here:

, where NP represents the nitride particle and AR represents the aromatic compound.

According to still other embodiment, the aromatic compound may include a particular number of aromatic rings. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least one aromatic ring, such as, at least two aromatic rings or even at least three aromatic rings.

According to still other embodiments, the aromatic compound may include multiple isocyanate moieties. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least two isocyanate moieties, such as, at least three isocyanate moieties, at least four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound may include di- isocyanate. According to still another embodiment, the aromatic compound may include tri- isocyanate. According to another embodiment, the aromatic compound may include 4~ isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound may include 5- isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound may include 6- isocyanate. According to yet other embodiments, the aromatic compound may include multiple auxiliary moieties. It will be appreciated that an auxiliary moiety may be defined as a moiety bonded to the aromatic compound but not to the nitride particle. According to particular embodiments, the aromatic compound may include at least two auxiliary moieties, such as, at east three auxiliary moieties, at least four auxiliary moieties or even at least five auxiliary moieties.

According to still other embodiments, the aromatic compound may include particular auxiliary moieties. For example, the aromatic compound may include a phenyl moiety, a biphenyl moiety, a naphthyl moiety, a phenanthryl moiety, a methylene-diphenyl moiety, a triphenyl-methane moiety or any combination thereof.

According to certain embodiments, nitride particle surface modification process 100 may be described according to the following reaction scheme:

Step 110 tfep 120 Step 13 §

, where NP represents the nitride particle, AR represents the aromatic compound, AMI represents the first auxiliary moiety and AM2 represents the second auxiliary moiety.

According to particular embodiments, NP may be any nitride particle suitable for surface modification according to embodiments described herein. According to certain embodiments, the NP may be a crystalline nitride particle or a partially crystalline nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the NP may be a boron nitride particle or a silicon nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the NP may be a cubic boron nitride particle. According to yet other embodiments, the NP may be a hexagonal boron nitride particle.

According to other embodiments, the AR may include a particular number of

aromatic rings. For example, AR may include at least one aromatic ring, such as, at least two aromatic rings or even at least three aromatic rings.

According to still other embodiments, the AR may include multiple isocyanate moieties. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least two isocyanate moieties, such as, at least three isocyanate moieties, at least four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties. According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include di-isocyanate. According to still another embodiment, the AR may include tri-isocyanate. According to another embodiment, the AR may include 4-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include 5-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include 6- isocyanate.

According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include any aromatic compound as illustrated here:

R _NP : linkage group binding to

nitride particie

R, . R _? : auxiliary moieties,

auxiliary lin kage to oligomers

According to still other embodiments, the AMI and AM2 may be the same auxiliary moieties, According to still other embodiments, the AMI and AM2 may be different auxiliary moieties. According to yet other embodiments, AMI and AM2 may be selected from OH, SH, NH ₂ , F, CI, Br, I, COOH, CN, OCN, CNO, NCS or any combination thereof.

It will be appreciated that, though not shown in the formula above, the surface modified nitride particle may include more auxiliary moieties, such as, for example, AM3, AM4, AM5, AM6 and any such additional auxiliary moieties may further be selected from OH, SH, NH ₂ , F, CI, Br, I, COOH, CN, OCN, CNO, NCS or any combination thereof.

Referring now to the surface modified nitride particle formed according to

embodiments described herein, the surface modified nitride particle may include a nitride particle covalently bonded via a urethane linkage to an aromatic compound. The surface modified nitride particle may further include at least two auxiliary moieties.

According to certain embodiments, the nitride particle of the surface modified nitride particle may be any nitride particle suitable for surface modification according to

embodiments described herein. According to certain embodiments, the nitride particle may be a crystalline nitride particle or a partially crystalline nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the nitride particle may be a boron nitride particle or a silicon nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the boron nitride particle may be a cubic boron nitride particle. According to yet other embodiments, the boron nitride particle may be a hexagonal boron nitride particle.

According to other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the surface modified nitride particle may include a particular number of aromatic rings. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least one aromatic ring, such as, at least two aromatic rings or even at least three aromatic rings.

According to still other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the surface modified nitride particle may include multiple isocyanate moieties. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least two isocyanate moieties, such as, at least three isocyanate moieties, at least, four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the surface modified nitride particle may include di-isocyanate. According to still another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the surface modified nitride particle may include tri-isocyanate. According to another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the surface modified nitride particle may include 4-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the surface modified nitride particle may include 5-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the surface modified nitride particle may include 6-isocyanate.

According to yet other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the surface modified nitride particle may include multiple auxiliary moieties. It will be appreciated that an auxiliary moiety may be defined as a moiety bonded to the aromatic compound but not to the nitride particle. According to particular embodiments, the aromatic compound may include at least two auxiliary moieties, such as, at east three auxiliary moieties, at least, four auxiliary moieties or even at least five auxiliary moieties.

According to still other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the surface modified nitride particle may include particular auxiliary moieties. For example, the aromatic compound of the surface modified nitride particle may include a phenyl moiety, a biphenyl moiety, a naphthyl moiety, a phenanthryl moiety, a methylene-diphenyl moiety, a triphenyl- methane moiety or any combination thereof.

According to certain embodiments, the surface modified nitride particle formed according to embodiments described herein may be described as a compound having the following formula:

, where NP represents the nitride particle, AR represents the aromatic compound, L represents the urethane linkage between the nitride particle and the aromatic compound, AMI represents the first auxiliary moiety and AM2 represents the second auxiliary moiety.

According to particular embodiments, NP may be any nitride particle suitable for surface modification according to embodiments described herein. According to certain embodiments, the NP may be a crystalline nitride particle or a partially crystalline nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the NP may be a boron nitride particle or a silicon nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the NP may be a cubic boron nitride particle. According to yet other embodiments, the NP may be a hexagonal boron nitride particle.

According to other embodiments, the AR may include a particular number of aromatic rings. For example, AR may include at least one aromatic ring, such as, at least two aromatic rings or even at least three aromatic rings.

According to still other embodiments, the AR may include multiple isocyanate moieties. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least two isocyanate moieties, such as, at least three isocyanate moieties, at least four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include di-isocyanate. According to still another embodiment, the AR may include tri-isocyanate. According to another embodiment, the AR may include 4-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include 5-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include 6- isocyanate.

According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include any aromatic compound as illustrated here:

R;,. _P : linkage group binding to

nitride particle ¾ _{! 2} : auxiliary moieties,

auxiliary linkage to oligomers

According to still other embodiments, the AMI and AM2 may be the same auxiliary moieties. According to still other embodiments, the AMI and AM2 may be different auxiliary moieties. According to yet other embodiments, AMI and AM2 may be selected from OH, SH, NH ₂ , F, CI, Br, I, COOH, CN, OCN, CNO, NCS or any combination thereof.

It will be appreciated that, though not shown in the formula above, the surface modified nitride particle may include more auxiliary moieties, such as AM3, AM4, AMS, AM6 and any such additional auxiliary moieties may further be selected from OH, SH, NH ₂ , F, C , Br, I, COOH, CN, OCN, CNO, NCS or any combination thereof.

Referring now to methods of forming an oligomer functionalized nitride particle, FIG. 2 illustrates a nitride particle oligomer functionalization process 200. Nitride particle oligomer functionalization process 200 may include a first step 210 of providing a surface modified nitride particle formed according to embodiments described herein and a second step 220 of chemically reacting at least two oligomers with the auxiliary moieties of the aromatic compound in the surface modified nitride particle. It will be appreciated that the modified nitride particle may be fonned according to any embodiment described herein and may further include any components described herein.

Referring to second step 220, according to certain embodiments, the two oligomers that are chemically reacted with the auxiliary moieties of the aromatic compound may include particular monomer units. For example, the two oligomers may include monomer units of silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, the two oligomers may include monomer units of a fluoropolymer. For example, the two oligomers may include monomer units of PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

According to still other embodiments, the two oligomers that are chemically reacted with the auxiliary moieties of the aromatic compound may be particular oligomers. For example, the two oligomers may be silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly- butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, the two oligomers may be fluoropolymers. For example, the two oligomers may be PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

According to certain embodiments, nitride particle oligomer functionalization process 200 may be described according to the following reaction scheme: Step 210 Step 220

, where NP represents the nitride particle, AR represents the aromatic compound, L represents the urethane linkage between the nitride particle and the aromatic compound, OGl represents a first oligomer, ALl represents the first auxiliary linkage between the AR and OGl, OG2 represents a second oligomer and AL2 represents a second auxiliary linkage between AR and OG2,

According to particular embodiments, NP may be any nitride particle suitable for surface modification according to embodiments described herein. According to certain embodiments, the NP may be a crystalline nitride particle or a partially crystalline nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the NP may be a boron nitride particle or a silicon nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the NP may be a cubic boron nitride particle. According to yet other embodiments, the NP may be a hexagonal boron nitride particle.

According to other embodiments, the AR may include a particular number of

aromatic rings. For example, AR may include at least one aromatic ring, such as, at least two aromatic rings or even at least three aromatic rings.

According to still other embodiments, the AR may include multiple isocyanate moieties. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least two isocyanate moieties, such as, at least three isocyanate moieties, at least four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include di-isocyanate. According to still another embodiment, the AR may include tri-isocyanate. According to another embodiment, the AR may include 4-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include 5 -isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include 6- isocyanate.

According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include any aromatic compound as illustrated here:

- 14-

R;,. _P : linkage group binding to

nitride particle ¾ _{! 2} : auxiliary moieties,

auxiliary linkage to oligomers

According to still other embodiments, the AMI and AM2 may be the same auxiliary moieties. According to still other embodiments, the AMI and AM2 may be different auxiliary moieties. According to yet other embodiments, AMI and AM2 may be selected from OH, SH, NH ₂ , F, CI, Br, I, COOH, CN, OCN, CNO, NCS or any combination thereof.

According to still other embodiments, OGl and OG2 may include particular monomer units. For example, the OGl and OG2 may include monomer units of silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO),

polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, OG1 and OG2 may include monomer units of a fluoropolymer. For example, OG1 and OG2 may include monomer units of PTFE, ETFE or PFA,

According to still other embodiments, OG1 and OG2 may be particular oligomers. For example, OG1 and OG2 may be silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly- butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or po!y(dimethyisiloxane). According to still other embodiments, OG1 and OG2 may be fluoropolymers. For example, OG1 and OG2 may be PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

Referring now to the oligomer functionalized nitride particle formed according to embodiments described herein, the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include a nitride particle, an aromatic compound covalentlv bonded via a urethane moiety to the nitride particle, and at least two oligomers covalently bonded to the aromatic compound through at least two auxiliary moieties of the aromatic compound.

According to certain embodiments, the nitride particle of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may be any nitride particle suitable for nitride particle oligomer

functionalization according to embodiments described herein. According to certain embodiments, the nitride particle may be a crystalline nitride particle or a partially crystalline nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the nitride particle may be a boron nitride particle or a silicon nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the boron nitride particle may be a cubic boron nitride particle. According to yet other embodiments, the boron nitride particle may be a hexagonal boron nitride particle.

According to other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include a particular number of aromatic rings. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least one aromatic ring, such as, at least two aromatic rings or even at least three aromatic rings. According to still other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include multiple isocyanate moieties. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least two isocyanate moieties, such as, at least three isocyanate moieties, at least four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include di-isocyanate. According to still another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include tri-isocyanate. According to another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include 4-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include 5-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include 6-isocyanate.

According to yet other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include multiple auxiliary moieties. It will be appreciated that an auxiliary moiety may be defined as a moiety bonded to the aromatic compound but not to the nitride particle. According to particular embodiments, the aromatic compound may include at least two auxiliary moieties, such as, at east three auxiliary moieties, at least four auxiliary moieties or even at least five auxiliary moieties.

According to still other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include particular auxiliary moieties. For example, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include a phenyl moiety, a biphenyl moiety, a naphthyl moiety, a phenanthryl moiety, a methylene-diphenyl moiety, a triphenyl-methane moiety or any combination thereof.

According to still other embodiments, the at least two oligomers of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include particular monomer units. For example, the at least two oligomers may include monomer units of silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methy1 methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (ΡΕΓ), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, the at least two oligomers may include monomer units of a fluoropolymer. For example, the at least two oligomers may include monomer units of

PTFE, FiTFFi or PFA.

According to still other embodiments, the at least two oligomers of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may be particular oligomers. For example, the at least two oligomers may be silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone

(PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE),

polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, the at least two oligomers may be fluoropolymers. For example, the at least two oligomers may be PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

According to certain embodiments, the oligomer functionalized nitride particle formed according to embodiments described herein may be described as a compound having the following formula:

, where NP represents the nitride particle, AR represents the aromatic compound, L represents the urethane linkage between the nitride particle and the aromatic compound, OGl represents a first oligomer, ALL represents the first auxiliary linkage between the AR and OGl, OG2 represents a second oligomer and AL2 represents a second auxiliary linkage between AR and OG2.

According to particular embodiments, NP may be any nitride particle suitable for surface modification according to embodiments described herein. According to certain embodiments, the NP may be a crystalline nitride particle or a partially crystalline nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the NP may be a boron nitride particle or a silico nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the NP may be a cubic boron nitride particle. According to yet other embodiments, the NP may be a hexagonal boron nitride particle. According to other embodiments, the AR may include a particular number of aromatic rings. For example, AR may include at least, one aromatic ring, such as, at least two aromatic rings or even at least three aromatic rings.

According to still other embodiments, the AR may include multiple isocyanate moieties. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least two isocyanate moieties, such as, at least three isocyanate moieties, at least four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include di-isocyanate. According to still another embodiment, the AR may include tri-isocyanate. According to another embodiment, the AR may include 4-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include 5 -isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include 6- isocyanate.

According to yet another embodiment, the AR may include any aromatic compound as illustrated here:

R;,. _P : linkage group binding to

nitride particle ¾ _{! 2} : auxiliary moieties,

auxiliary linkage to oligomers

According to still other embodiments, the ALl and AL2 may be the same auxiliary moieties. According to still other embodiments, the ALl and AL2 may be different auxiliary moieties. According to yet other embodiments, ALl and AL2 may be selected from OH, SH, NH ₂ , F, CI, Br, I, COOH, CN, OCN, CNO, NCS or any combination thereof.

According to still other embodiments, OGl and OG2 may include particular monomer units. For example, the OGl and OG2 may include monomer units of silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO),

polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride

(PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, OG1 and OG2 may include monomer units of a fluoropolymer. For example, OG1 and OG2 may include monomer units of PTFE, ETFE or PFA,

According to still other embodiments, OG1 and OG2 may be particular oligomers. For example, OG1 and OG2 may be silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly- butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poSy(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or po!y(dimethyisiloxane). According to still other embodiments, OG1 and OG2 may be fluoropolymers. For example, OG1 and OG2 may be PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

Referring now to methods of forming a polymer based composite including oligomer functionalized nitride particles, FIG. 3 illustrates a polymer based composite forming process 300. Polymer based composite forming process 300 may include a first step 310 of providing at least one polymer component and a second step 320 of combining the polymer component with a modified nitride filler material that includes oligomer functionalized nitride particles, it will be appreciated that the oligomer functionalized nitride particles may be formed according to any embodiment described herein and may further include any components described herein.

Referring to first step 310, according to certain embodiments, the polymer component may include particular monomer units. For example, the polymer component may include monomer units of silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE),

polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, the polymer component may include monomer units of a fluoropolymer. For example, the polymer component may include monomer units of PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

According to still other embodiments, the polymer component may be particular oligomers. For example, the polymer component may be silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, pol.y(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid,

polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO),

polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride

(PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, the polymer component may be fluoropolymers. For example, the polymer component may be PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

According to yet other embodiments, a monomer unit of the polymer component may be from the same organic component family as a monomer unit of the oligomer components. According to still other embodiments, a monomer unit of the polymer component may be the same as a monomer unit of the oligomer components.

Referring now to the polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein, the polymer based composite may include at least one polymer component and a modified nitride filler material dispersed within the polymer component. The modified nitride filler material may include oligomer functionalized nitride particles. The oligomer functionalized nitride particles may include a nitride particle, an aromatic compound

covalently bonded via a urethane moiety to the nitride particle, and at least two oligomers covalently bonded to the aromatic compound through at least two auxiliary moieties of the aromatic compound.

According to certain embodiments, the nitride particle of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle in the polymer based composite may be any nitride particle suitable for nitride particle oligomer functionalization according to embodiments described herein. According to certain embodiments, the nitride particle may be a crystalline nitride particle or a partially crystalline nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the nitride particle may be a boron nitride particle or a silicon nitride particle. According to still other embodiments, the boron nitride particle may be a cubic boron nitride particle. According to yet. other embodiments, the boron nitride particle may be a hexagonal boron nitride particle. According to other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle in the polymer based composite may include a particular number of aromatic rings. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least one aromatic ring, such as, at least two aromatic rings or even at least three aromatic rings.

According to still other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle in the polymer based composite may include multiple

isocyanate moieties. For example, the aromatic compound may include at least two isocyanate moieties, such as, at least three isocyanate moieties, at least four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle in the polymer based composite may include di-isocyanate. According to still another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the oligomer

functionalized nitride particle may include tri-isocyanate. According to another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include 4- isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include 5-isocyanate. According to yet another embodiment, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include 6-isocyanate.

According to yet other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle in the polymer based composite may include multiple auxiliary moieties. It will be appreciated that an auxiliary moiety may be defined as a moiety bonded to the aromatic compound but not to the nitride particle. According to particular

embodiments, the aromatic compound may include at least two auxiliary moieties, such as, at east three auxiliary moieties, at least four auxiliary moieties or even at least five auxiliary moieties.

According to still other embodiments, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle in the polymer based composite may include particular auxiliary moieties. For example, the aromatic compound of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle may include a phenyl moiety, a biphenyl moiety, a naphthyl moiety, a phenanthryl moiety, a methylene-diphenyl moiety, a triphenyl-methane moiety or any combination thereof.

According to still other embodiments, the at least two oligomers of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle in the polymer based composite may include particular monomer units. For example, the at least two oligomers may include monomer units of silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride

(PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, the at least two oligomers may include monomer units of a fluoropolymer. For example, the at least two oligomers may include monomer units of PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

According to still other embodiments, the at least two oligomers of the oligomer functionalized nitride particle in the polymer based composite may be particular oligomers. For example, the at least two oligomers may be silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEL), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, the at least two oligomers may be fluoropolvmers. For example, the at least two oligomers may be PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

According to yet other embodiments, the polymer component in the polymer based composite may include particular monomer units. For example, the polymer component may include monomer units of silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, the polymer component may include monomer units of a fluoropolymer. For example, the polymer component may include monomer units of PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

According to still other embodiments, the polymer component in the polymer based composite may be particular oligomers. For example, the polymer component may be silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenvlene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride

(PVC) or poly(dimethylsiloxane). According to still other embodiments, the polymer component may be fluoropolymers. For example, the polymer component may be PTFE, ETFE or PFA.

According to yet other embodiments, a monomer unit of the polymer component in the polymer based composite may be from the same organic component family as a monomer unit of the oligomer components in the polymer based composite. According to still other embodiments, a monomer unit of the polymer component in the polymer based composite may be the same as a m onomer unit of the oligomer components in the polymer based composite.

According to still other embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have a particular peel strength as measured according to IPC standard 2.4.9. For example, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herei may have a peel strength of at least about 5 N/in, such as, at least about 18 N/in or even at least about 20 N/in. According to still other embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have a peel strength of not greater than about 100 N/in, such as, not greater than about 75 N/in or even not greater than about 50 N/in. It will be appreciated that the peel strength of a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may be any value between any of minimum and maximum values noted above. It will be further appreciated that the peel strength of a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described may be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above.

According to yet other embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have a particular original peel strength percentage equal to CPL/PPL*100, where CPL is equal to the peel strength of the polymer based composite and PPL is equal to the peel strength of the polymer component alone that is used to form the polymer based composite. It will be appreciated that peel strength is measured according to IPC standard 2.4.9. According to particular embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have an original peel strength percentage of at least about 60%, such as, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 100%, at least about 105%, at least about 1 10%, at least about 120%, at least about 125%, at least about 130%, at least about 135%, at least about 140%, at least about 150%, at least about 175% or even at least about 200%. According to still other embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have an original peel strength percentage of not greater than about 250%. It will be appreciated that the original peel strength percentage of a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may be any value between any of minimum and maximum values noted above. It will be further appreciated that the original peel strength percentage of a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described may be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above. According to still other embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have a particular thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity is calculated as the product of thermal diffusivity, density and heat capacity. More particularly, through plane thermal conductivity is calculated as the product of the through plane thermal diffusivity, the density and the heat capacity. The thermal diffusivity of the composite polymer is measured according to the standard ASTM C-518 by the thermal flows method. The diffusivity is measured

perpendicularly to the composite polymer layer. The heat capacity of the composite polymer is measured by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) on a Netzsch thermobalance. The composite polymer density is measured by Helium pycnometry.

According to certain embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.2 W/mK, such as, at least about 0.5 W/mK, at least about 1 W/mK, at least about 2 W/mK, at least about 3 W/mK, at least about 5 W/mK, at least about 7 W/mK, or even at least about 10 W/mK. According to still other embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have a thermal conductivity of not greater than about 20 W/mK, such as, not greater than about 15 W/mK. It will be appreciated that the thermal conductivity of a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may be any value between any of minimum and maximum values noted above. It will be further appreciated that the thermal conductivity of a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described may be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above. According to yet other embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have a particular original thermal conductivity percentage equal to CTC PTC*100, where CTC is equal to the thermal conductivity of the polymer based composite and PTC is equal to the thermal conductivity of the polymer component alone that is used to form the polymer based composite. It will be appreciated that thermal conductivity of both the composite are measured according to the standard outlined above. According to particular embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have an original thermal conductivity percentage of at least about 200%, such as, at least about 300%, at least about 400%, at least about 500%, at least about 1000%, at least about 2000%), at least about 5000%, or even at least about 10000%. According to still other embodiments, a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may have an original thermal conductivity percentage of not greater than about 20000%. It will be appreciated that the original thermal conductivity percentage of a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described herein may be any value between any of minimum and maximum values noted above. It will be further appreciated that the original thermal conductivity percentage of a polymer based composite formed according to embodiments described may be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above.

Many different aspects and embodiments are possible. Some of those aspects and embodiments are described herein. After reading this specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that those aspects and embodiments are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Embodiments may be in accordance with any one or more of the embodiments as listed below.

Embodiment 1. A surface modified nitride particle comprising: a nitride particle covalently bonded via a urethane moiety to an aromatic compound; and at least two auxiliary moieties.

Embodiment 2. A method of forming a modified nitride particle, wherein the method comprises: activating a nitride particle to form at least one hydroxy! group; chemically reacting an aromatic compound with the at least one hydroxy! group on the nitride particle, wherein the aromatic compound comprises at least two auxiliary moieties.

Embodiment 3. The surface modified nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 1 and 2, wherei the nitride particle is a boron nitride particle or a silicon nitride particle. Embodiment 4. The surface modified nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 1 and 2, wherein the nitride particle is a hexagonal boron nitride particle.

Embodiment 5. The surface modified nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 1 and 2, wherein a majority of any moieties connecting the nitride particle and the aromatic compound are urethane moieties.

Embodiment 6. The surface modified nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 1 and 2, wherein the aromatic compound comprises at least one aromatic ring, at least two aromatic rings, at least three aromatic rings.

Embodiment 7. The surface modified nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 1 and 2, wherein the aromatic compound comprises a phenyl moiety, a

biphenyl moiety, a naphthyl moiety, a phenanthryl moiety, a methylene-diphenyl moiety, a triphenyl-methane moiety.

Embodiment 8. The surface modified nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 1 and 2, wherei the at least two auxiliary moieties are amino groups (-NH2), hydroxyl groups (-OH), fluoro groups (-F), chloro groups (-C1), bromo groups (-Br), iodo groups (-1), carboxyl groups (-COOH), cyano groups (-CN), cyanate groups (-OCN), isocyanate groups (-NCO), thiol groups (-SH), or thioisocyanate groups (-NCS).

Embodiment 9. The surface modified nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 1 and 2, wherein the aromatic compound comprises two isocyanate moieties, three isocyanate moieties, four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

Embodiment 10. An oligomer functionalized nitride particle comprising: a nitride particle; an aromatic compound covalently bonded via a urethane moiety to the nitride particle; and at least two oligomers covalently bonded to the aromatic compound via at least two auxiliary moieties of the aromatic compound .

Embodiment 1 1. A method of forming an oligomer functionalized nitride particle, wherein the method comprises: activating a nitride particle to form at least one hydroxyl group; chemically reacting an aromatic compound with the at least one hydroxyl group on the nitride particle, wherein the aromatic compound comprises at least two auxiliary moieties; and chemically reacting at least two oligomers covalently bonded to the aromatic compound via the at least two auxiliary moieties.

Embodiment 12. The oligomer functionalized nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 10 and 11, wherein the nitride particle is a boron nitride particle or a silicon nitride particle. Embodiment 13. The oligomer functiona!ized nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 10 and 1 1, wherein the nitride particle is a hexagonal boron nitride particle.

Embodiment 14, The oligomer functionalized nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 10 and 11, wherein a majority of any moieties connecting the nitride particle and the aromatic compound are urethane moieties.

Embodiment 15. The oligomer functionalized nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 10 and 1 1 , wherein the aromatic compound comprises at least one aromatic ring, at least two aromatic rings, at least three aromatic rings.

Embodiment 16. The oligomer functionalized nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 10 and 11, wherein the aromatic compound comprises a phenyl moiety, a biphenyl moiety, a naphthyl moiety, a phenanthryl moiety, a methylene-diphenyl moiety, a triphenyl-methane moiety.

Embodiment 17. The oligomer functionalized nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 10 and 11, wherein the at least two auxiliary moieties are amino groups (- NH2), hydroxyl groups (-OH), fluoro groups (-F), chloro groups (-C1), bromo groups (-Br), iodo groups (-1), carboxyl groups (-COOH), cyano groups (-CN), cyanate groups (-OCN), isocyanate groups (-NCO), thiol groups (-SH), or thioisocyanate groups (-NCS).

Embodiment 18. The oligomer functionalized nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 10 and 11, wherein the aromatic compound comprises two isocyanate moieties, three isocyanate moieties, four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

Embodiment 19. The oligomer functionalized nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 10 and 11, wherein the oligomer components comprises silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyiactic acid, polybenzimaidazole (PBO and PBI), polycarbonate (PC), polvether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether sulfone (PES), polysulfone (PS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(dimethylsiloxane) or a fluoropolymer.

Embodiment 20. The oligomer functionalized nitride particle or method of embodiment 19, wherein the fluoro-based oligomers comprises of PTFE, ETFE, FEP, ECTFE or PFA.

Embodiment 21. A polymer based composite comprising: at least one polymer component and a modified nitride filler material dispersed within the polymer component, wherein the modified nitride filler material comprises: a nitride particle; an aromatic compound covalently bonded via a urethane linkage to the nitride particle; and at least two oligomer components covalently bonded to the aromatic compound.

Embodiment 22. A method of forming a polymer based composite, wherein the method comprises: combining at least one polymer component with a nitride filler material of oligomer functionalized nitride particles, wherein each of the oligomer functionalized nitride particles comprise: a nitride particle; an aromatic compound covalently bonded via a urethane linkage to the nitride particle; and at least two oligomer components covalently bonded to the aromatic compound.

Embodiment 23. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the nitride particle is a boron nitride particle or a silicon nitride particle.

Embodiment 24, The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the nitride particle is a hexagonal boron nitride particle.

Embodiment 25. The oligomer functionalized nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein a majority of any moieties connecting the nitride particle and the aromatic compound are urethane moieties.

Embodiment 26. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the aromatic compound comprises at least one aromatic ring, at least two aromatic rings, at least three aromatic rings.

Embodiment 27. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the aromatic compound comprises a phenyl moiety, a biphenyl moiety, a naphthyl moiety, a phenanthryl moiety, a methylene-diphenyl moiety, a triphenyl-methane moiety.

Embodiment 28. The oligomer functionalized nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the at least two auxiliary moieties are amino groups (-

NH2), hydroxy! groups (-OH), fluoro groups (-F), chloro groups (-C1), bromo groups (-Br), iodo groups (-1), carboxyl groups (-COOH), cyano groups (-CN), cyanate groups (-OCN), isocyanate groups (-NCO), thiol groups (-SH), or thioisocyanate groups (-NCS).

Embodiment 29. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the aromatic compound comprises two isocyanate moieties, three isocyanate moieties, four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

Embodiment 30. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the polymer component comprises silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poiy(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole (PBO and PBI), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyethenmide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polysulfone, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(dimethylsiloxane) or a fluoropolymer.

Embodiment 31. The polymer composite or method of embodiment 30, wherein the fluoro-based polymer comprises PTFE, ETFE, FEP, ECTFE or PFA,

Embodiment 32, The polymer based composite or method of any one of

embodiments 21 and 22, wherein a monomer unit of the polymer component is from the same family as a monomer unit of the oligomer components.

Embodiment 33. The polymer based composite or method of embodiment 32, wherein a monomer unit of the polymer component is the same as a monomer unit of the oligomer components.

Embodiment 34. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the polvmer component comprises a thermoset polymer or a thermoplastic polymer.

Embodiment 35. The polymer based composite or method of embodiment 34, wherein the polymer component comprises silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate)

(PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole (PBO and PBI), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polysulfone, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(dimethy!siloxane) or a fluoropolymer.

Embodiment 36. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the polymer component comprises phenol formaldehyde resins, Bakelite, Novotext (cotton fibre-reinforced phenolic), Oasis (an open-celled phenolic foam), Maritex Aquarius, poly-butadiene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, Kapton( poly-oxydiphenylene- pyromellitimide), aliphatic polyimides, aromatic polyimides, semiaromatic polyimides,

Acrylated saturated/unsaturated aliphatic polyurethane, Polybutadiene rubber blended with nitrile rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymer or LITEM. Embodiment 37. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the fluoro-based polymer comprises PTFE, ETFE, FEP, ECTFE or PFA.

Embodiment 38. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the oligomer components comprises silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polvbenzimaidazole (PBO and PBI), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polysulfone, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(dimethylsiloxane) or a fluoropolymer.

Embodiment 39. The polymer based composite of embodiment 38, wherein the fluoro-based oligomers comprises of PTFE, ETFE or PFA,

Embodiment 40. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the polymer based composite comprises a peel strength of at least about 10 N/in and a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.2 W/ ^' mK.

Embodiment 41. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the polymer based composite comprises a peel strength of at least about 5 N/in.

Embodiment 42. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 21 and 22, wherein the polymer based composite comprises a thermal conductivity of at least about 1 W/m .

Embodiment 43. A surface modified boron nitride particle comprising; a boron nitride particle covalently bonded via a urethane moiety to an aromatic compound; and at least two auxiliary moieties.

Embodiment 44. A method of forming a surface modified boron nitride particle, wherein the method comprises: activating a boron nitride particle to form at least one hydroxy! group; chemically reacting an aromatic compound with the at least one hydroxyl group on the boron nitride particle, wherein the aromatic compound comprises at least two auxiliary moieties.

Embodiment 45. The surface modified boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 43 and 44, wherein the boron nitride particle is a hexagonal boron nitride particle. Embodiment 46. The surface modified boron mtride particle or method of any one of embodiments 43 and 44, wherein a majority of any moieties connecting the boron nitride particle and the aromatic compound are urethane moieties.

Embodiment 47. The surface modified boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 43 and 44, wherein the aromatic compound comprises at least one aromatic ring, at least two aromatic rings, at least three aromatic rings.

Embodiment 48. The surface modified boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 43 and 44, wherein the aromatic compound comprises a phenyl moiety, a biphenyl moiety, a naphthyl moiety, a phenanthryl moiety, a methylene-diphenyl moiety, a triphenyl-methane moiety.

Embodiment 49. The surface modified boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 43 and 44, wherein the at least two auxiliary moieties are amino groups (- NH2), hydroxy! groups (-OH), fluoro groups (-F), chloro groups (-C1), bromo groups (-Br), iodo groups (-1), carboxyl groups (-COOH), cyano groups (-CN), cyanate groups (-OCN), isocyanate groups (-NCO), thiol groups (-SH), or thioisocyanate groups (-NCS).

Embodiment 50. The surface modified boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 43 and 44, wherein the aromatic compound comprises two isocyanate moieties, three isocyanate moieties, four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

Embodiment 51. An oligomer functionalized boron nitride particle comprising: a boron mtride particle; an aromatic compound covalently bonded via a urethane moiety to the boron mtride particle; and at least two oligomers covalently bonded to the aromatic compound via at least two auxiliary moieties of the aromatic compound.

Embodiment 52. A method of forming an oligomer functionalized boron nitride particle, wherein the method comprises: activating a boron nitride particle to form at least one hydroxy! group; chemically reacting an aromatic compound with the at least one hydroxy! group on the boron nitride particle, wherein the aromatic compound comprises at least two auxiliary moieties; and chemically reacting at least two oligomers covalently bonded to the aromatic compound via the at least two auxiliary moieties.

Embodiment 53. The oligomer functionalized boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 51 and 52, wherein the boron nitride particle is a hexagonal boron nitride particle. Embodiment 54. The oligomer functionalized boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 51 and 52, wherein a majority of any moieties connecting the boron nitride particle and the aromatic compound are urethane moieties.

Embodiment 55. The oligomer functionalized boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 51 and 52, wherein the aromatic compound comprises at least one aromatic ring, at least two aromatic rings, at least three aromatic rings.

Embodiment 56. The oligomer functionalized boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 51 and 52, wherein the aromatic compound comprises a phenyl moiety, a biphenyl moiety, a naphthyl moiety, a phenanthryl moiety, a methylene-diphenyl moiety, a triphenyl-methane moiety.

Embodiment 57. The oligomer functionalized boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 51 and 52, wherein the at least two auxiliary moieties are amino groups (-NH2), hydroxy! groups (-OH), fluoro groups (-F), chloro groups (-C1), bromo groups (-Br), iodo groups (-1), carboxyl groups (-COOH), cyano groups (-CN), cyanate groups (-OCN), isocyanate groups (-NCO), thiol groups (-SH), or thioisocyanate groups (-NCS).

Embodiment 58. The oligomer functionalized boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 51 and 52, wherein the aromatic compound comprises two isocyanate moieties, three isocyanate moieties, four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

Embodiment 59. The oligomer functionalized boron nitride particle or method of any one of embodiments 51 and 52, wherein the oligomer components comprises

silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole (PBO and FBI), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE),

polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polysulfone, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(dimethylsiloxane) or a fluoropolymer.

Embodiment 60. The oligomer functionalized boro nitride particle or method of embodiment 59, wherein the fluoro-based oligomers comprises of PTFE, ETFE, FEP, ECTFE or PFA.

Embodiment 61. A polymer based composite comprising: at least one polymer component and a modified boron nitride filler material dispersed within the polymer component, wherein the modified boron nitride filler material comprises: a boron nitride particle; an aromatic compound covalently bonded via a urethane linkage to the boron nitride particle; and at least two oligomer components covalently bonded to the aromatic compound,

Embodiment 62, A method of forming a polymer based composite, wherein the method comprises: combining at least one polymer component with a boron nitride filler material of oligomer functionalized boro nitride particles, wherein each of the oligomer functionalized boron nitride particles comprise: a boron nitride particle; an aromatic compound covalently bonded via a urethane linkage to the boron nitride particle; and at least two oligomer components covalently bonded to the aromatic compound.

Embodiment 63, The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the boron nitride particle is a hexagonal boron nitride particle.

Embodiment 64. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein a majority of any moieties connecting the boron nitride particle and the aromatic compound are urethane moieties.

Embodiment 65, The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the aromatic compound comprises at least one aromatic ring, at least two aromatic rings, at least three aromatic rings.

Embodiment 66. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the aromatic compound comprises a phenyl moiety, a biphenyl moiety, a naphthyl moiety, a phenanthryl moiety, a methylene-diphenyl moiety, a triphenyl-methane moiety.

Embodiment 67. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the at least two auxiliary moieties are amino groups (-NH2), hydroxyl groups (-OH , fluoro groups (-F), chloro groups (-CS), bromo groups (-Br), iodo groups (-1), carboxyl groups (-COOH), cyano groups (-CN), cyanate groups (-OCN), isocyanate groups (-NCO), thiol groups (-SH , or thioisocyanate groups (-NCS),

Embodiment 68. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the aromatic compound comprises two isocyanate moieties, three isocyanate moieties, four isocyanate moieties, five isocyanate moieties.

Embodiment 69. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the polymer component comprises silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Aerylonitriie butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole (PBO and PBI), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether sulfone (PES), polysulfone (PS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(dimethylsiloxane) or a fluoropolymer.

Embodiment 70. The polymer composite or method of embodiment 69, wherein the fluoro-based polymer comprises PTFE, ETFE, FEP, ECTFE or PFA.

Embodiment 71. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein a monomer unit of the polymer component is from the same family as a monomer unit of the oligomer components.

Embodiment 72. The polymer based composite or method of embodiment 71, wherein a monomer unit of the polymer component is the same as a monomer unit of the oligomer components.

Embodiment 73. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the polymer component comprises a thermoset polymer or a thermoplastic polymer.

Embodiment 74. The polymer based composite or method of embodiment 73, wherein the polymer component comprises silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poly(methyl methacrylate)

(PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole (PBO and PBI), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether sulfone (PES), polysulfone (PS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(dimethylsiloxane) or a fluoropolymer.

Embodiment 75. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the polymer component comprises phenol formaldehyde resins, Bakelite, Novotext (cotton fibre-reinforced phenolic), Oasis (an open-celled phenolic foam), Maritex Aquarius, poly-butadiene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, Kapton( poly-oxydiphenylene- pyromellitimide), aliphatic polyimides, aromatic polyimides, semiaromatic polyimides, Acrylated saturated/unsaturated aliphatic polyurethane, Polybutadiene rubber blended with nitrile rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymer or UTEM.

Embodiment 76. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the fluoro-based polymer comprises PTFE, ETFE, FEP, ECTFE or PFA.

Embodiment 77. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the oligomer components comprises silicone/siloxane, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, poly-butadiene, polyimides, polyester resin, polyurethane, poiy(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, polybenzimaidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyethenmide (PEI), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), pofy(dirnethylsiloxane) or a fluoropolymer.

Embodiment 78. The polymer based composite of embodiment 77, wherein the fluoro-based oligomers comprises of PTFE, ETFE or PFA,

Embodiment 79, The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the polymer based composite comprises a peel strength of at least about 10 N/in and a thermal conductivity of at least, about 0,2 W/mK.

Embodiment 80, The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the polymer based composite comprises a peel strength of at least about. 15 N/in, at least about 20N/in.

Embodiment 81. The polymer composite or method of any one of embodiments 61 and 62, wherein the polymer based composite comprises a thermal conductivity of at least about 1 W/mK.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

A sample polymer based composite SI was formed according to embodiments described herein. Specifically, SI included oligomer functionalized hexagonal boron nitride powder formed according to embodiments described herein and combined in a polybutadiene polymer matrix with a 10% mass ratio of nitride powder to polymer matrix.

For purposes of comparison, two comparison sample composites CS1 and CS2 were formed. Compariso sample composite CS1 included a polybutadiene polymer matrix with no fillers (i.e., no hexagonal boron nitride powder). Comparison sample composite CS2 included non-modified hexagonal boron nitride powder combined in a polybutadiene polymer matrix with a 10% mass ratio of nitride powder to poly matrix.

Peel strength of sample polymer based composite Si , comparison sample composite CS1 and comparison sample composite CS2 was measured and recorded. Peel strength was measured according to IPC standard 2.4,9. Peel strength measurements are summarized in Table 1 below:

Table I— Peel Strength

FIG. 4 illustrates a plot of the peel strength for each sample polymer based composite S1. CS1 and CS2.

Example 2

Sample polymer based composites S2-S4 were formed according to embodiments described herein. Specifically, S2 included oligomer functionalized hexagonal boron nitride powder formed according to embodiments described herein and combined in a polybutadiene polymer matrix with a 20% mass ratio of nitride powder to polymer matrix. S3 included oligomer functionalized hexagonal boron nitride powder formed according to embodiments described herein and combined in a polybutadiene polymer matrix with a 30% mass ratio of nitride powder to polymer matrix. S4 included oligomer functionalized hexagonal boron nitride powder formed according to embodiments described herein and combined in a polybutadiene polymer matrix with a 40% mass ratio of nitride powder to polymer matrix.

For purposes of comparison, two comparison sample composites CS3 and CS4 were formed. Comparison sample composite CS3 included a polybutadiene polymer matrix with no fillers (i.e., no hexagonal boron nitride powder). Comparison sample composite CS4 included non-modified hexagonal boron nitride powder combined in a polybutadiene polymer matrix with a 20% mass ratio of nitride powder to poly matrix.

Thermal conductivity of sample polymer based composites S2-S4, comparison sample composite CS3 and comparison sample composite CS4 was measured and recorded. Thermal conductivity was calculated as the product of thermal difiusivity, density and heat capacity. More particularly, through plane thermal conductivity was calculated as the product of the through plane thermal diffusivity, the density and the heat capacity. The thermal diffusivity of each sample was measured according to the standard ASTM C-518 by the thermal flows method. The diffusivity of each sample was measured perpendicularly to the composite polymer layer. The heat capacity of each sample was measured by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) on a Netzsch thermohalance. The density of each sample was measured by Helium pycnometry.

Thermal conductivity measurements are summarized in Table 2 below:

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with Patent Law and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all features of any of the disclosed embodiments. 'Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.