Stability, viscosity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity enhancement of multi-walled carbon nanotube nanofluid using gum arabic

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis experimental investigation discussed on the stability and rheological behavior of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanofluids with and without gum arabic (GA). The stability of MWCNT in the presence of GA dispersant in solar glycol is systematically investigated by taking into account the combined effect of different parameters, such as sonication time, temperature, dispersant and particle concentration. The concentrations of MWCNT and GA have been varied from 0.2 to 0.6% volume concentration and from 0.25 to 1.25 wt%, respectively, and the sonication time has been varied in between 30 and 120 min. The effect of sonication time on viscosity was discussed. It was perceived that the shear thinning behavior is exhibited by all the nanofluid samples. The stability of nanofluid is measured in terms of MWCNT concentration as a function of sediment time using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Rheological behavior of MWCNT nanofluids is measured using Bohlin CVO Rheometer in the temperature range of 30–50°C, with step sizes of 5°C. Optimal GA concentration is obtained for the entire range of MWCNT concentration and 0.25–1.25 wt% of GA is found to be sufficient to steady all MWCNT range in solar glycol. Rapid sedimentation of MWCNTs is observed at higher GA concentration and sonication time. The presence of MWCNT and GA enhanced the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids by 30.59% at 0.6 vol.% particle concentration and 1.25 GA wt% at 50°C. The electrical conductivity is enhanced in a linear manner with respect to the loading of MWCNT and GA. Nevertheless, the electrical conductivity is increased linearly with increasing the temperature of the nanofluid. At particle concentration of 0.6 vol.% of MWCNT and 1.25 wt% of GA, the electrical conductivity of the nanofluid is improved by 190.57% at a temperature of 50°C.