Influence of surfactant and volume fraction on the dispersion stability of TiO2/deionized water based nanofluids for heat transfer applications

Nanofluids are the implausible outcome of nanotechnology which fascinates many researchers by owing incredible thermal transport properties in different domains, including heating-cooling of systems, power generation, nuclear and space technology. Due to the higher surface area of nanomaterials, their suspension in traditional heat transfer fluids extensively enriches the heat transfer characteristics. In this research work, commercially available bulk Titania (TiO2) powder is used for the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the spherical shape of NPs with an average diameter of 18.88 nm. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Thermal Gravimetric analysis (TGA) is performed for material characterization. Dispersion stability of TiO2/Deionized water nanofluids for 0.05 vol% and 0.5 vol% concentration of NPs has been studied, using UV–vis Spectrometry. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is used as a surfactant and its effect on the stability of nanofluids is analyzed. Experimental results revealed that the addition of surfactant to the nanofluids at a given volume concentration increase the dispersion stability.