Synthesis of ethylene glycol-treated Graphene Nanoplatelets with one-pot, microwave-assisted functionalization for use as a high performance engine coolant

Abstract

An electrophilic addition reaction under microwave irradiation was developed as a promising, quick and cost-effective approach to functionalize Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNP) with ethylene glycol (EG). EG-treated GNP was synthesized to reach a promising dispersibility in the water–EG media without negative effects of acid-treatment. Surface functionality groups and the morphology of chemically-functionalized GNP were characterized by the vibration spectroscopies, temperature-programmed study, and microscopic method. Despite the fact that the main structures of GNP were remained reasonably intact, characterization results consistently verified the functionalization of GNP with EG functionalities. As new kinds of high-performance engine coolant, the EG-treated GNP based water–EG coolant (GNP-WEG) was prepared and its thermo-physical and rheological properties are evaluated. In particular, the thermal conductivity, viscosity, specific heat capacity, and density of all samples were experimentally measured to evaluate the thermal performance of the GNP-WEG coolant. The data showed insignificant increases in the pressure drop at different temperatures and concentrations, low friction factor, lack of corrosive condition, and the performance index larger than 1. In addition, no momentous change in the pumping power in the presence of GNP-WEG confirmed that it can be an appropriate alternative coolant for different thermal equipment in terms of economy and performance.