Optimization of Thermophysical and Rheological Properties of Mxene Ionanofluids for Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal Systems

Abstract

Since technology progresses, the need to optimize the thermal system’s heat transfer efficiency is continuously confronted by researchers. A primary constraint in the production of heat transfer fluids needed for ultra-high performance was its intrinsic poor heat transfer properties. MXene, a novel 2D nanoparticle possessing fascinating properties has emerged recently as a potential heat dissipative solute in nanofluids. In this research, 2D MXenes (Ti3C2) are synthesized via chemical etching and blended with a binary solution containing Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and ionic liquid (IL) to formulate stable nanofluids at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 wt%. Furthermore, the effect of different temperatures on the studied liquid’s thermophysical characteristics such as thermal conductivity, density, viscosity, specific heat capacity, thermal stability and the rheological property was experimentally conducted. A computational analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of ionic liquid-based 2D MXene nanofluid (Ti3C2/DEG+IL) in hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems. A 3D numerical model is developed to evaluate the thermal efficiency, electrical efficiency, heat transfer coefficient, pumping power and temperature distribution. The simulations proved that the studied working fluid in the PV/T system results in an enhancement of thermal efficiency, electrical efficiency and heat transfer coefficient by 78.5%, 18.7% and 6%, respectively.

Enhancing the solar energy conversion and harvesting characteristics of multiwalled carbon nanotubes‐modified 1‐hexyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium cation ionic liquids

“…It can be seen that NEILs exhibited superior dispersion stability in Figure 2D even after multiple experiments consisting of heating and cooling periods. The results of the previous researchers also indicated exceptional thermal stability in their studies 67 . Besides, the decomposition temperature of the ionic liquids is superiorly high compared to the conventional working fluids.…”

“…The results of the previous researchers also indicated exceptional thermal stability in their studies. 67 Besides, the decomposition temperature of the ionic liquids is superiorly high compared to the conventional working fluids. It was reported in the study of Cao et al 68 The measured thermal conductivity of various HMIM cation-based MWCNT NEILs and pure RTILs is presented in Table 2.…”

Utilization of Machine Learning Methods in Modeling Specific Heat Capacity of Nanofluids

“…In general, increase in volume fraction of nanostructures causes increase in both viscosity and thermal conductivity [9,10]. Despite the advantages of high thermal conductivity for heat transfer purposes, the increase in dynamic viscosity is unfavorable; consequently, there is an optimum concentration in the majority of the cases [11,12]. In comparison with specific heat capacity of nanofluids, more attentions have been attracted by dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity; however, several studies have focused on this property of the nanofluids due to its substantial role in heat transfer of operating fluids.…”

Effect of ultrasonication time on microstructure, thermal conductivity, and viscosity of ionanofluids with originally ultra-long multi-walled carbon nanotubes

“…There is little literature on the influence of ultrasound treatment conditions on the microstructure as well as thermal and rheological properties of INFs. Most of the research in the field was carried out under constant sonication settings [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] . The notable exceptions were works of Wittmar et al [32] , [33] , who investigated rheological properties of INFs containing 0.5 wt% 95% anatase TiO 2 with average particle size 5 nm or 100% anatase TiO 2 with average particle size from 5 to 26.4 nm and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [Emim][NTf 2 ], 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [Emim][BF 4 ], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [Bmim][BF 4 ], or 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [Hmim][BF 4 ], prepared with various sonication times up to 4 h. They concluded that the rheological behavior of nanodispersions was complex and depended on the type of IL.…”