Thermal Conductivity of 3D Network of Silver Nanowires based Nanofluids

Thermal Conductivity of 3D Network of Silver Nanowires based Nanofluids Incorporation of metallic nanoparticles into heat transfer fluids used in Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) application could result in nanofluids with improved thermal transport properties. This study reports on the synthesis and investigation of a 3D network of silver nanowires (AgNWRs) based nanofluid synthesized by the polyol process in ethylene glycol (EG) as a reductant, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as structure-directing agent for the growth of Ag nanowires. Structural and morphological characterisations revealed highly crystalline three-dimensional (3D) interconnected network of Ag nanowires. EG-based suspensions in the presence of various AgNWRs loadings (0.5-2 vol.%) were prepared and thermal conductivity measurements were conducted. A thermal conductivity enhancements over the EG base fluid of 20% at a 2 vol.%AgNWRs loading was achieved.