Synthesis and thermal conductivity of copper nanoparticle decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes based nanofluids

Copper nanoparticle-loaded multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Cu/MWCNTs) have been synthesized by chemical reduction method using functionalized MWCNTs processed by the chemical vapor deposition technique and copper chloride. Cu/MWCNTs based nanofluids have been synthesized by dispersing nanocomposites of CuZ MWCNTs in deionized water (DI water) and ethylene glycol (EG) polar base fluids without any surfactant. The results showed that well-dispersed Cu/MWCNTs nanofluids with varying concentration of Cu/MWCNTs can be synthesized using the present method. A maximum thermal conductivity at a very low volume fraction of Cu/MWCNTs has resulted due to the homogeneous dispersion of Cu decorated MWCNTs in base fluids and formation of more hydrophilic MWCNTs due to the attachment of oxygen containing functional groups leading to a good interactions of MWCNTs with each other. © 2008 American Chemical Society.