Thermal conductivity of nanofluid in nanochannels

Abstract

This paper concerns the behaviour of a copper–argon nanofluid confined in a nanochannel. Using molecular dynamics simulations, it is shown that in narrower channels, the thermal conductivity increases by approximately 20 % compared to macroscopic cases. The results suggest that the structured liquid layers surrounding the solid particles occupy a greater percentage of the system in narrower channels, thus enhancing the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid.