Stability of Nanofluids

Abstract

Stability is key to sustaining the colloidal properties of nanofluids and by extension the beneficial thermophysical properties they exhibit for practical applications. Nanofluid suspensions are typically prepared through ultrasonic dispersion of nanoparticles, either using low-power ultrasonic baths or high-power ultrasonic probes. It has been observed that high-power probes, although achieving nanoparticle size reduction in a short time, can also cause considerable aggregation of particles and hence reduction in colloidal stability with excessive application. This effect is not observed in low-power ultrasonic dispersion applications. This discrepancy and its sources are explored and explained in the current chapter, through consideration of particle breakup mechanisms (fragmentation versus erosion) and the fusion of particles due to high-velocity interparticle collisions. Stability is known to be linked to solution pH; for example a pH value far from the isoelectric point yields a surface charge in the dispersed phase, which enhances stability through coulombic repulsion. Ultrasonication has been observed to affect the pH of nanofluid solutions. High-power devices are unable to affect pH change in dilute alumina–water nanofluids (ϕ < 0.01 vol%), whereas low-power devices can. This is hypothesised to be due to the dominant breakup mechanism, i.e., erosion in low-power baths versus fragmentation in high-power probes. Hence, to improve nanofluid stability, it is recommended to use low-power sonication where possible, and source nanoparticles in aqueous form. If a high-power ultrasonic probe must be used, the duration and amplitude should be reduced to avoid the induction of significant stability reduction.