The thermal conductivity, viscosity, and stability of nanofluids were evaluated to determine how varying experimental conditions can affect these properties. It was determined that increasing the concentration, temperature, and time spent sonicating the nanofluids can increase the thermal conductivity, while the addition of alcohol caused a decrease in thermal conductivity. Furthermore, it was found that the shape of the particles has an effect on the measured thermal conductivity. It was ...
Using Al2O3 nanoparticles, de-ionized water, and different volume fractions of two surfactants, Al2O3/water nanofluids were prepared by a two-step method. Thermal conductivities of the nanofluids were measured by the thermal constants analyzer. The choice of surfactant used (either sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)) had an influence on the thermal and mechanical properties of the nanofluids. PVP was found to be better at stabilizing the nanofluid, ...
