Synthesis, Properties, and Characterization of Field’s Alloy Nanoparticles and Its Slurry

Abstract

This chapter describes a facile one-step method developed for the synthesis of Field's alloy nanoparticles using a nanoemulsification technique and their dispersed them in a base fluid to make slurry. The composition, size, morphology, and thermal properties of as-prepared nanoparticles were characterized by XRF, TEM and, DSC, respectively. The slurry with Field's alloy nanoparticles exhibited good thermal properties and stability. Meanwhile, an experimental study was performed to investigate the jet impingement of HFE7100 fluid with nanosized metallic (Field's alloy) phase change materials (nano-PCM). Surface modification was used to stabilize the slurry of the nano-PCM in HFE7100 fluid and make the slurry stable for over 1 month. The Field's alloy nano-PCM absorbed heat during a phase change process from solid to liquid phase coupled with HFE7100 evaporation process. The effects of mass fraction of Field's alloy nano-PCM on the pressure drop and heat transfer performances of the slurry were investigated through a heat transfer loop test. Away from the critical heat flux, Field's alloy nano-PCM slurry provided a significant heat transfer enhancement due to the increase in the thermal capacity of the carrier fluid. Moreover, the nano-PCM slurries were able to maintain 97% of their heat removal capability after 5000 thermal cycles.