Effects of graphite oxide and single-walled carbon nanotubes as diesel additives on the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of a light-duty diesel engine

Graphene and carbon nanotubes have drawn interest across many disciplines due to their remarkable properties. We investigated the effects of graphite oxide (GO), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles on the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of a four-stroke single cylinder light-duty diesel engine under various engine loads. Shortened ignition-delay (ID) by up to 10.3%, advanced combustion phasing (up to 18.5%), shortened combustion duration (up to 14.6%), improved brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) by up to 15.2%, reduced CO emission (up to 23.4%), and lowered UHCs emissions (up to 24.1%) were achieved with the addition of SWCNTs nanoparticle at 25 ppm dosing ratio. SWCNTs and GO additives could be effective approach for lowering emissions in diesel engine applications.