Significant thermal conductivity enhancement for nanofluids containing graphene nanosheets

Abstract

We developed a facile technique to produce ethylene glycol based nanofluids containing graphene nanosheets. The thermal conductivity of the base fluid was increased significantly by the dispersed graphene: up to 86% increase for 5.0 vol% graphene dispersion. The 2D structure and stiffness of graphene and graphene oxide help to increase the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid. The thermal conductivity of graphene oxide and graphene in the fluid were estimated to be ∼4.9 and 6.8 W/m K, respectively. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.