Abstract:
We report a simple one-step method of fabricating monodisperse zirconium oxide nanoparticles by
decomposing a zirconium oleate complex in a high boiling organic solvent. The X-ray and transmission
electron microscopy of nanocrystals indicated the formation of monoclinic zirconia. The surfactant
capped zirconia nanoparticles produced excellent dispersions in oils. The suitability of the nanofluids in
heat transport was carefully investigated by measuring suspension stability, thermal conductivity and
viscosity as a function of temperature. The effect of particle loading and temperature on the thermal
conductivity of the oil based nanofluids and other promising features indicated potential application of
ZrO2based nanofluids in the heat transport sector. A thermal conductivity enhancement of 10.3% was
achieved with 1.7 vol% zirconia nanoparticle loading at room temperature. The TC of the nanofluids was
remarkably higher than the same predicted by Maxwell and Hamilton–Crosser models
