Research and development on composite nanofluids as next-generation heat transfer medium

Abstract

Nanocomposite is a nanotechnology-based multiphase, high-performance composite material having combination of properties, which has been emerged as one of the promising research and development activities. Recently, nanocomposites have shown significant application opportunities for several sectors of biotechnology, engineering, and medical sciences, and its dispersed fluids (composite nanofluids) have gained huge interest and demand in wide area of engineering applications, particularly for heat transfer intensification. The main aim of the present review is to summarize the recent advances in nanocomposite-dispersed nanofluids. The synthesized methods, characterization, and applications of nanocomposites as well as the preparation, stability analysis, thermophysical, optical and electrical properties, heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics and applications of nanocomposite-dispersed nanofluids are well-grouped and discussed. Present review reveals that the nanocomposite with proper combination of nanomaterials yields superior performance characteristics compared to the individual alone for application in nanofluids, although many related aspects are still unexplored. Hence, the challenges and opportunities for future research are also identified, which will be useful for the newcomers and manufacturers in this field. © 2019, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary.