Critical review of heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids

Researches in heat transfer have been carried out over the previous several decades, leading to the development of the currently used heat transfer enhancement techniques. The use of additives is a technique applied to enhance the heat transfer performance of base fluids. Recently, as an innovative material, nanometer-sized particles have been used in suspension in conventional heat transfer fluids. The fluids with these solid-particle suspended in them are called ‘nanofluids’. The suspended metallic or nonmetallic nanoparticles change the transport properties and heat transfer characteristics of the base fluid. The aim of this review is to summarize recent developments in research on the heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids for the purpose of suggesting some possible reasons why the suspended nanoparticles can enhance the heat transfer of conventional fluids and to provide a guide line or perspective for future research.