Thermal diffusivity measurements on two nanofluids and their base fluids were made using an optical technique called forced Rayleigh scattering. The nanofluids studied were a citrate-stabilized Au nanoparticle suspension in water and an Al2O3 nanoparticle suspension in a petroleum oil. Thermal diffusivity measurements on the nanofluids and base fluids were made at temperatures in the range of 25–75°C. From these data, it was possible to estimate the thermal conductivity enhancement in the nanofluids as a function of temperature. In contrast to previous reports on similar systems, our experiments are consistent with thermal conductivity enhancement predictions from effective medium theory. In particular, we find that the level of thermal conductivity enhancement is independent of temperature.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.