Patent ID: 7947331
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: C23C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for making a thermal interface material, the method comprising: (a) providing an array of carbon nanotubes on a substrate, the carbon nanotubes having interfaces defined therebetween; (b) providing a transferring device and disposing at least one low melting point metallic material above the array of carbon nanotubes via the transferring device, wherein the melting point of the at least one low melting point metallic material is less than about 265° C., the transferring device comprises a transferring plate defining a cavity facing the array of carbon nanotubes, the at least one low melting point metallic material is located in the cavity; wherein in step (b), the transferring device further comprises a sealed ring, wherein the sealed ring is disposed between the transferring plate and the substrate, thereby defining a space therebetween, the array of carbon nanotubes being disposed in the space; and wherein the sealed ring supports the transferring plate above the array of carbon nanotubes and maintains a constant gap to allow the at least one low melting point metallic material to flow into the array of carbon nanotubes; and (c) heating the low melting point metallic material and the array of carbon nanotube to a certain temperature to make the at least one low melting point metallic material melt, then flow into the interspaces between the carbon nanotubes, and combine with the array of carbon nanotubes, in order to acquire a carbon-nanotube-based thermal interface material; and wherein the at least one low melting point metallic material located in the cavity before step (c) is solid.