Synthesis and thermal conductivity of functionalized biocarbon-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite-based green nanofluid for heat transfer applications

Department of Chemical Engineering, Laxminarayan Institute of Technology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440033, MS, India

^* Corresponding author: bharatbhanvase@gmail.com

Abstract

Bio-based graphitic carbon was synthesized in this work by one-step carbonization of bamboo waste at low temperature. This bio-based carbon was then functionalized in order to decorated it with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The functionalized biocarbon-Fe₃O₄ (f-biocarbon-Fe₃O₄) nanocomposite was synthesized using ultrasound-assisted coprecipitation method which was then confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. Water-based nanofluid was prepared using the synthesized f-biocarbon-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite particles. Thermal conductivity of this nanofluid was analyzed at different concentrations and temperatures. A thermal conductivity enhancement of almost 80% was recorded at 35°C for nanofluid containing 0.1 vol.% of f-biocarbon-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite particles compared to water. Also, empirical model is developed for prediction of thermal conductivity as a function of concentration and temperature of bamboo waste-derived f-biocarbon-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite-based green nanofluid.