Thermal Conductivity of AlN–Ethanol Nanofluids

Abstract

Aluminum nitride (AlN) particles of 20 nm diameter were dispersed into ethanol by a two-step process, first magnetic striation and then ultrasonic agitation. Castor oil was added as a dispersant to improve the stability of the AlN suspension. The thermal conductivities of AlN-ethanol nanofluids were measured by a hot-disk method from 0.5 vol% to 4.0 vol% at temperatures of 273.15 K and 297.15 K. Results show about 20 % increase in the thermal conductivity of ethanol with the addition of 4.0 vol% at 273.15 K, and a strong temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity.

Experimental investigation on thermal conductivity and viscosity of aluminum nitride nanofluid

“…For EG and PG based nanofluids with 4.0 vol% of AlN nanoparticles, the thermal conductivity increment ratios are about 16.5%, somewhat smaller than the ethanol based AlN nanofluid (Hu et al, 2008), apparently due to the larger diameter of AlN nanoparticle in our paper of 50 nm as compared to 20 nm of Hu et al (2008) which was much accompanied by aggregation (Prasher et al, 2006). Moreover, the ratios of thermal conductivity increment for nanofluids are related to the thermal conductivities of base fluids.…”

“…Nanofluids containing AlN nanoparticles have likewise the potential for heat transfer fluids with high thermal conductivity. To our knowledge, only one paper has been found reporting on the thermal transport properties of nanofluids containing AlN nanoparticles (Hu, Shan, Yu, & Chen, 2008), without, however mentioning the viscosities of nanofluids containing AlN nanoparticles. In the present work, the thermophysical properties of ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG) based AlN nanofluids were measured, including the effects of particle volume fraction, temperature, thermal conductivities of the base fluids, as well as the rheological properties of the nanofluids.…”

Huge thermal conductivity enhancement in boron nitride – ethylene glycol nanofluids

“…But not only, for example SiC [31e33] and AlN [34,35] nanoparticles are also commonly used for the preparation of the nanofluids.…”

Thermal conductivity of diethylene glycol based magnesium–aluminum spinel (MgAl2O4-DG) nanofluids

“…Many studies have shown that thermal conductivity of the liquid increases when the nanoparticles are dispersed therein [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. This increase might be particularly interesting both for engineers planning to practical applications of nanofluids is one of the most important factor for the values of thermal conductivity of nanofluids.…”