Thermo-physical property measurement of nano-gold dispersed water based nanofluids prepared by chemical precipitation technique

Nano-gold dispersed water based nanofluid has been prepared following the chemical reduction method. Crystallite size, particle size/shape/morphology, and purity of the nanoparticles have been characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersion spectroscopy, respectively. The degree of thermal conductivity enhancement of the nanofluid (with respect to the base fluid) as a function of concentration and size of gold nanoparticle has been determined using the transient hot-wire technique. The degree of enhancement increases with increase in concentration and decrease in size of nanoparticles. The maximum enhancement recorded is ∼48% at 0.00026 vol.% concentration and 21 nm average particle size.

Graphical abstractThe thermal conductivity (k) enhancement of gold–water nanofluids measured as a function of volume fraction shows a significant increase (∼48%) well beyond the level predicted by conventional theories.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (72 K)Download as PowerPoint slide