Thermophysical properties and stability of carbon nanostructures and metallic oxides nanofluids

A pioneer idea for increasing the thermal performance of heat transfer fluids was the use of ultrafine solid particles suspension in the basefluid. Nanofluids, synthesized by mixing solid nanometre-sized particles at low concentrations with the basefluid, were used as a new heat transfer fluid which developed a remarkable effect on the thermophysical properties and heat transfer coefficient. For any nanofluid to be usable in heat transfer applications, the main concern is its long-term stability. In this investigation, pentaethylene glycol-treated graphene nanoplatelets (PEG-GnP), pentaethylene glycol-thermally treated graphene (PEG-TGr), Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ were synthesized. The thermophysical properties of PEG-GnP, PEG-TGr, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ were measured experimentally by using different devices and equipment. Dispersion stabilities of carbon-based nanofluids and metallic oxides nanofluids were observed for 30 days, and the results showed the higher dispersibility of the nanofluids in an aqueous media with very low sedimentation. Thermal conductivity, viscosity and density were increased, while specific heat decreased as mass concentration increased. The temperature effect on the nanofluids was directly proportional to their thermal conductivity and inversely to the viscosity, density and specific heat.