Experimental investigation on the thermal properties of NiO-nanofluids

Abstract

Performance parameters and thermal stability of lubricants are highly temperature dependent as it degrades twice for every 10 °C of temperature rise. Generally, the nanofluids have enhanced thermo-physical behavior as long as the nanoparticles are homogeneously dispersed and thermally stable. Therefore, the investigation of thermal characteristics of nanofluids may reveal their suitability in the temperature dependent applications. In the present study, NiO nanocrystalline (72.97 nm) flakes are prepared by sol–gel method and dispersed in SN500 lubricant oil for optimizing the thermal properties. The NiO-nanofluids are formulated by two-step method and their thermal properties are estimated from ambient temperature to 1000 °C. The addition of NiO nanoparticles (0.1 wt%, 0.3 wt.% and 0.5 wt.%) in the lubricant enhances the ability to resist thermal decomposition, which is enriched from 49 °C to 210 °C, 222 °C and 247 °C, respectively.