An investigation of carbon nanotubes on shear stress, thermal conductivity and the viscosity of Nanofluids

The Nanofluid includes suspensions containing nanoparticles, which are dispersed in the base fluid homogeneously. In this study, nanoparticles called multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were dispersed in a pure water-based fluid. The shape, size, and arrangement of carbon nanotubes were displayed by the transmittance electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. The thermal conductivity and viscosity of the resulting nanofluid were measured experimentally. The carbon nanotubes within the nanofluid were stabilized using Sodium dodecyl benzene sulphate. The effect of carbon nanotubes on shear stress, thermal conductivity and viscosity of fluids has investigated. The results showed that at 308K the thermal conductivity was increased from 0.6 to 0.94 w/m.ºC with an increase in the volumetric concentration of MWCNTs from 0 to 0.015%. an‎d the thermal conductivity was increased from 0.74 to 0.94 w/m.ºC with increase in temperature from 298 to 308K. The shear stress was increased from 10.8 to 11.9 N/m2 at 298K by increase in the volumetric concentration of MWCNTs from 0 to 0.015% and it was reduced from 11.9 to 9.2 N/m2 with enhance in temperature from 298 to 308K, respectively.