Investigation of thermal and electrical properties of ternary composite nanofluids using MgO, ZnO, and MWCNT nanoparticles
Modaser Momin, Collins N. Nwaokocha, Mohsen Sharifpur, Goshtasp Cheraghian, Josua P. Meyer, Magda Abd El‐Rahman
Abstract
• Ternary nanofluid of MgO, ZnO, and MWCNT nanoparticles, prepared at specific weight ratios. • MgO, ZnO, and MWCNT ratios boost electrical conductivity up to 907.4 34.0 %. • Ternary nanofluids enhance thermal properties with improved stability. • Viscosity decreases with temperature; conductivity increases. • Ternary nanofluids outperform single nanofluids for engineering applications. Composites in nanofluids are currently being considered to improve thermal properties. This article uses a two-step technique to prepare a ternary composite nanofluid with a 0.10 vol% of H 2 O-based MgO, ZnO, and MWCNT nanoparticles at different weight ratios. Morphological surface and structure of nanocomposites were investigated using a high-resolution scanning electron microscope and XRD. The stability of the ternary composite nanofluid was determined through viscosity tests and visual inspection techniques, and the results showed that the nanofluids have good stability. Viscosity and electrical conductivity were evaluated and measured by a sine wave viscometer and conductivity meter of composite nanofluid at different temperatures, respectively. Both the electrical conductivity and viscosity of composite nanofluids were improved by increasing the mass ratio of MgO and ZnO particles. On the contrary, the viscosity of the ternary composite nanofluid decreases with increasing bath temperature. A maximum increase of 34.0 % and 907.4 % was obtained for the viscosity and electrical conductivity of the ternary composite nanofluid, respectively. The results show that the ternary composite nanofluid is found to have a reduced viscosity compared to the single nanofluid, which is a massive benefit for engineering applications.