Enhanced Thermal Conductivity of Nanofluid by Synergistic Effect of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Nanoparticles

Abstract

This study investigates the synergistic effect of combining multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles on thermal conductivity of nanofluid. Results show that low percentage hybrid fillers loading improve thermal conductivity of water based nanofluid, due to the good dispersion and interfacial adhesion, which is confirmed by scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, the hybrid fillers provide synergistic effect on heat conductive networks. The thermal conductivity enhancement of water based nanofluid containing 0.05 wt % MWNTs and 0.02 wt % Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles is 27.75%, which is higher than that of nanofluid containing 0.2 wt % single MWNTs or Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles.