Synthesis and Characterization of Nanofluids: Thermal Conductivity, Electrical Conductivity and Particle Size Distribution

Abstract

A new type of fluid, called nanofluid, has found numerous applications in engineering sector due to its outstanding properties. These are known as suspensions of nano-sized particles in fluids called basefluids. The suspension of these nanoparticles in the basefluid shows significant influence on its physical properties. In view of this, in the present book chapter, the properties of the nanofluid like its thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and so on have been discussed and the notable studies carried out in the past have been summarized. Several factors that are responsible for the alteration of the properties of nanofluids at varying degrees are identified and discussed in this chapter. Further, these properties contribute to the distinctive applications of nanofluids in various engineering fields, which are reviewed and discussed in this chapter.