Thermal conductivity difference between nanofluids and micro-fluids: Experimental data and theoretical analysis using mass difference scattering

Abstract

In this work, an experimental campaign on different nanofluids and micro-fluids, obtained by the dispersion of three different metal oxides (CuO, ZnO, and TiO2) with diathermic oil or deionized water has been carried out, in order to extend phonon theory to liquids, as already done in a previous work on Al2O3. Thermal conductivity of stable samples was evaluated by time. The experimental results on thermal conductivity of stable micrometric and nanometric particles suspensions in oil and water showed a further proof of mass difference scattering phenomenon.