Nanodiamond Colloids heat transfer behavior in electronics thermal management – an experimental study

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article reports the heat transfer data obtained from experimenting a novel functionalized nanodiamond (fND) colloid. In this functionalization technique, the nanodiamonds are coupled with molecules of the host fluid via carboxylic bonds, leading to a de-aggregated and fully stable nanodiamond colloid. The colloid flows through a conduction cold plate where the system cools the electronic component, leading to the resultant heat dissipation. This surface modification on the fully functionalized nanodiamonds ensures ultimate stability of the colloidal suspension of nanodiamond particles. The heat transfer experiments were performed with different concentrations of nanodiamond (0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 wt.%) and under a turbulent flow regime (6,400 < Re < 17,000). The closed-loop heat transfer apparatus utilizes a pump equipped with a variable frequency drive to study the pumping power at various flow rates and fND concentrations. The experimental results of this paper show the remarkable effect of low-concentrated fND additives on enhancing the heat-transfer coefficient of the deionized water. The results show up to a 70% enhancement in the heat transfer coefficient compared to the base fluid at the same pumping power using a 0.20 wt.% fND. The nanodiamond colloid has shown no sedimentation after remaining stored over two years after synthesis.