An experimental investigation on the effects of ultrasonication time on stability and thermal conductivity of MWCNT-water nanofluid: Finding the optimum ultrasonication time

• Published in: Ultrasonics sonochemistry 2019-11, Vol.58, p.104639-104639, Article 104639
• Main Authors: Asadi, Amin, Alarifi, Ibrahim M., Ali, Vakkar, Nguyen, Hoang M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: MWCNT; Stability; Thermal conductivity; Ultrasonication time; Water-based nanofluid
• ISSN: 1350-4177; 1873-2828
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.104639

•The effects of ultrasonication time on stability of nanofluid are investigated.•The stability of the nanofluid has been investigated through zeta potential analysis.•Increasing the ultrasonication time leads to increase the stability.•60 min ultrasonication is the optimum time to reach the best stability.•The thermal conductivity reached its highest point by 60 min ultrasonication. The primary objective of the present study is to investigate the possible effects of ultrasonication time on stability and thermal conductivity of MWCNT-water nanofluid. The samples have been prepared in three different solid concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 vol.% applying different ultrasonication times, ranging from 10 to 80 min. The stability of the samples has been investigated over 30 days after preparation by conducting zeta potential analysis and visual observation. It is found that increasing the ultrasonication time until 60 min results in enhancing the stability of the samples in all the solid concentrations while prolonging the ultrasonication time leads to deteriorating the stability. The thermal conductivity of the samples has been experimentally measured over different temperatures ranging from 25 to 60 °C, and it is found that increasing the solid concentration and temperature results in enhancing the thermal conductivity. Moreover, the effects of ultrasonication time on thermal conductivity have also been studied, and it is found that increasing the ultrasonication time leads to a gentle enhancement in thermal conductivity. The maximum conductivity was achieved by applying 60 min ultrasonication. Thus, it is concluded that 60 min ultrasonication is the optimum time in which the thermal conductivity and stability reached their highest point.