Thermodynamics of nanofluid boiling nucleation

Based on the classical nucleation theory,nanofluid is considered to be a nanoparticle-uniform-distribution system.Clustering and deposition of particles are ignored.A nanoparticle is analogous to a molecule,base fluid is analogous to solvent,and nanofluid is analogous to a dilute solution.Nanoparticles absorbed at the vapor-liquid interface were assumed to be embedded at the interface,partially in the vapor and partially in the liquid.The distribution of nanoparticles at the interface was assumed to be uniform.Using the thermodynamic theory of solution,homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation models of nanofluids were then developed to discuss nanoparticles effect on nucleation.The results showed that nanoparticles accumulation at the vapor-liquid interface decreased embryo bubble radius and the potential barrier of nucleation,facilitating liquid nucleation.