Mass transfer in nanofluids: A review

• Literature on mass diffusivity in nanofluids has been reviewed.
• Convective mass transfer of nanofluids in different equipments has been reviewed.
• Possible mechanisms for enhancement of mass transfer in nanofluids are discussed.
• Mechanisms contributing to mass transfer deterioration have been summarized.

Growing attention has been recently paid to nanofluids because of their potential for augmenting transfer processes – i.e., heat and mass transfer. Conflicting results have been reported in the literature on mass transfer in nanofluids. The aim of this paper is to summarize the literature on mass transfer in nanofluids stating the conflicts and possible reasons. Literature on mass transfer in nanofluids has been reviewed in two sections. The first section concentrates on surveying mass diffusivity in nanofluids while the second section focuses on convective mass transfer in nanofluids. In each section, published articles, type of nanofluids used, size and concentration range of nanoparticles, measurement methods, maximum observed enhancement, and suggested mass transport mechanisms are summarized.