Thermal and Electrical Conductivity Studies of Metal Oxide-Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposite Based Nanofluids

The thermal and electrical conductivity behaviour of ZnO and Al2O3 decorated Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) based nanofluids with de-ionized (DI) water and ethylene glycol (EG) base fluids have been investigated in detail with variation to nanocomposite volumetric concentration and temperature. A linear behaviour has been observed in the thermal conductivity enhancements with volumetric fraction of ZnO-MWCNT and Al2O3-MWCNT nanocomposite and temperature. The electrical conductivity results of the nanofluids also show an enhancement with particle volumetric concentration and temperature. The dependence of the conductivities with volumetric nanocomposite and temperature has been discussed.