Common polymers are thermal insulators. Turning polymer insulators into heat conductors is of fundamental interest and technological importance. Thermally conductive polymers may replace traditional metal heat conductors as lightweight and corrosion-resistant heat dissipators. In this review, we highlight recent progresses in developing polymers with metal-like thermal conductivity and discuss the understanding of thermal transport mechanisms in polymers. We use polyethylene as a model and address how thermal conductivity of polyethylene is influenced by structural parameters such as bond strength, chain orientation, molecular weight, crystallinity, and crystallite size. We review advanced strategies for developing thermally conductive polymers, e.g., mechanical stretching, extrusion, electrospinning, and template-assisted methods. We highlight how thermally conductive polymers provide new possibilities for future thermal management applications. Finally, we discuss future challenges and opportunities on designing and synthesizing polymers with metal-like thermal conductivity.

常见的聚合物是热绝缘体。将聚合物绝缘体转变为热导体具有根本意义和技术重要性。导热聚合物可以替代传统的金属导热体，成为轻质、耐腐蚀的散热器。在这篇综述中，我们重点介绍了开发具有类金属导热性的聚合物的最新进展，并讨论了对聚合物热传输机制的理解。我们使用聚乙烯作为模型，并说明聚乙烯的热导率如何受结构参数（例如键强度、链取向、分子量、结晶度和微晶尺寸）的影响。我们回顾了开发导热聚合物的高级策略，例如机械拉伸、挤出、静电纺丝和模板辅助方法。我们强调导热聚合物如何为未来的热管理应用提供新的可能性。最后，我们讨论了设计和合成具有类金属导热性的聚合物的未来挑战和机遇。