How Does Phonon Mismatch Affect Thermal Conductivity?
Thermal conductivity in materials is largely governed by the movement of phonons. When there is a mismatch between the phonon spectra of two interfacing materials, phonons are scattered at the boundary. This scattering reduces the mean free path of phonons, thereby decreasing the efficiency of heat transport. In nanostructures, where interfaces are abundant, phonon mismatch can significantly reduce the effective thermal conductivity.
