Magnetic field induced tunability on the thermal conductivity of ferrofluids loaded with carbon nanofibers

Abstract

In this paper, it is shown that the thermal conductivity of magnetic fluids, formed by a ferrofluid loaded with carbon nanofibers, can be tuned by applying a moderate intensity magnetic field. The tuning is generated by orienting the nanoparticles in the ferrofluid, which in turn partially align the carbon nanofibers, favoring or hindering heat flow along a given direction. Thermal diffusivity at several volume concentrations of nanofibers (0, 0.25, 0.50, 1, 2 and 5%) was measured using the thermal wave resonant cavity technique, located inside a uniform moderate intensity magnetic field. Measurements were performed for random and aligned carbon nanofibers, oriented in the parallel and perpendicular directions with respect to the heat flux. The experimental results show that for 5% volume concentration of carbon nanofibers in the ferrofluid, in random configuration, i.e. without external magnetic field applied, the effective thermal conductivity increased 3 times compared to that of the ferrofluid matrix. Moreover, for parallel alignment of the carbon nanofibers with respect to the heat flux direction, the effective thermal conductivity increased 5 times. However, for perpendicular alignment of the carbon nanofibers with respect to the heat flux direction only a 2 times increment in the effective thermal conductivity is obtained. A 750 G intensity magnetic field is used for both alignment configurations. Additionally, the effect of the concentration of carbon nanofibers on the thermal time-response of the magnetic fluids was studied by switching on/off the magnetic field. The Lewis–Nielsen model was used to interpret the dependence of the thermal conductivity results as a function the concentration and orientation of the carbon nanofibers.