A comprehensive statistical approach for determining the effect of two non-ionic surfactants on thermal conductivity and density of Al2O3–water-based nanofluids

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of surfactants on the density and thermal conductivity values of water, as well as to separately evaluate the variations in these values due to particle–surfactant interaction. To this end, Al2O3–water-based nanofluids with different particle volume concentrations (0.3–1.1%) were prepared, as were Tween 80 and Tergitol NP-10 surfactants at different weight ratios (0.2–0.8%). Density and thermal conductivity of obtained nanofluids were then measured at temperatures ranging from 298 to 338 K. Statistical evaluation was carried out to determine the effects of surfactant type, temperature, particle concentration, and surfactant concentration on density and thermal conductivity. Additionally, the sedimentation method, zeta potential, and particle size analysis were utilized to estimate the stability of nanofluids. Results showed that when base fluid (water and surfactant) density was determined, the use of surfactants had no additional impact on the density of the nanofluids. The highest observed improvement in thermal conductivity was 7.5%, obtained using 0.2 wt% Tween 80 and 1.1 vol% Al2O3 at 338 K. Although particle concentration was the most influential factor and surfactant type was not statistically significant for density ratio, the thermal conductivity ratio was affected by other factors in addition to particle concentration.