Experimental Investigation of Rheological Properties and Thermal Conductivity of SiO2–TiO2 Composite Nanofluids Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition

Abstract

In the current research, surface-modified SiO2 nanoparticles were used upon immersion in an applied base fluid (ethylene glycol:water = 1:1). The atomic layer deposition method (ALD) was introduced to obtain a thin layer of TiO2 to cover the surface of SiO2 particles. After the ALD modification, the TiO2 content was monitored by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy were applied for the particle characterization. The nanofluids contained 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 volume% solid particles and zeta potential measurements were examined in terms of colloid stability. A rotation viscosimeter and thermal conductivity analyzer were used to study the nanofluids’ rheological properties and thermal conductivity. These two parameters were investigated in the temperature range of 20 °C and 60 °C. Based on the results, the thin TiO2 coating significant impacted these parameters.