Study on the Combustion Characteristics of Ethanol Nanofuel

Abstract

This study investigates the thermophysical and combustion characteristics of ethanol-based nanofuels incorporating aluminum (Al) and nickel-coated aluminum (Ni-Al). The nanofuels are prepared with varying concentrations of Al and Ni-Al nanoparticles. The results reveal that, despite the non-uniform deposition of nickel on Al particles, a sintering reaction occurs between the two materials. Nanofuels containing Al exhibit unburned Al residues after combustion, while nanofuels containing Ni-Al show intense AlO radical emission during combustion termination, indicating enhanced combustion. However, nanofuels containing Ni-Al demonstrate a lower burning rate compared to Al nanofuels, attributed to the lower thermal conductivity of nickel. Overall, the findings suggest that nanofuels containing Ni-Al possess higher energy potential but extended combustion duration.