Synthesis and characterization of cerium oxide based nanofluids: An efficient coolant in heat transport applications

• A facile one pot method allows preparation of surface modified ceria nanoparticles.
• The nanoparticles were dispersible in conventional and highly hydrophobic solvents.
• Ceria-oil nanofluids exhibited a long term stability > five months.
• A maximum TC enhancement of 14.6% was achieved with 0.7 vol% nanoparticles.

Monodispersed oleic acid capped ceria nanoparticles were prepared by a facile one-step strategy involving thermal decomposition of a cerium oleate complex in an organic solvent with high boiling point. The nanocrystals synthesized by this relatively faster and inexpensive route have been optimized and were characterized by X-ray, infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The surface-capped ceria nanoparticles exhibited excellent dispersity in conventional organic solvents and were utilized for the preparation of transformer oil based nanofluids. The suitability of the nanofluids thus obtained as heat transfer fluid was evaluated by measuring the stability of nanofluids, thermal conductivity, viscosity and particle size. The effect of particle loading and temperature on the thermal conductivity of the oil based nanofluids was studied. Oil-based nanofluids containing ceria nanoparticles showed shear-thinning behavior and produced ∼14.6% enhancement in thermal conductivity at 50 °C with 0.7 vol% solid loading.

A simple one pot method produced surface modified ceria nanoparticles based nanofluids in transformer oil possessing long term stability and appreciable enhancement in thermal conductivity.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide