Thermal and electrical conductivity of Aluminium Nitride nanofluids

Abstract

This study was designed to experimentally measure the thermal and electrical conductivities of Aluminium Nitride/Ethylene Glycol (AlN/EG) nanofluids. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the shape of AlN nanoparticles. Nanofluids with different particle volume concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% were utilized. The thermal and electrical conductivities of the nanofluids were measured using a KD2-Pro thermal analyser and electrical conductivity meter, respectively. The obtained results revealed that the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids increased at the higher volume concentration of the nanoparticles. Thus, at 5% volume concentration, the maximum thermal conductivity enhancement of 25% was obtained. The addition of AlN nanoparticles to the EG base fluid resulted in a significant increase in the electrical conductivity of the nanofluid. An enhancement in the electrical conductivity of approximately 520 times relative to the base fluid was attained by loading a 0.5% volume concentration of AlN in EG at 28°C.