Thermal Conductivity Enhancement by Al2O3@Cu, core@shell Nanoparticle Suspensions in Nanofluid Coolant

Abstract

The objective of this research work is to synthesize Alumina@Copper, core@shell nanoparticles suspended nanofluid coolant, possessing high thermal conductivity. The Alumina@Copper nanoparticles were synthesized by two step chemical process. The methodology used to synthesize core@shell nanoparticles includes the synthesis of base alumina nanoparticles by sol-gel method in first step, which was coated with a thin shell of copper using electroless plating technique. The study investigates thermal conductivity enhancement of prepared nanofluid coolant, upon suspension of these nanoparticles for the selected volume of Strub Vulcan Futura coolant oil. Nanoparticles addition to the coolant oil was 0.025 % to 0.3 % by weight. Results indicated that, alumina@copper nanoparticles addition enhanced the thermal conductivity value up to 23.39 %. Results were validated using Hamilton and Crosser (HC) theoretical model assuming nanoparticles to be spherical. An empirical correction factor was applied for HC model which fits the thermal conductivity values to justify the deviation. The findings of this research may serve for faster heat dissipation during any metal cutting operation, since the synthesized nanofluid coolant possesses enhanced thermal conductivity.