Synthesis of in situ Generated Cu−CNT Hybrid Nanofluid and the Study of Their Thermo‐physical Properties

Abstract In recent years, numerous investigations have been carried out in heat transfer applications for CNT nanofluid as it possesses a high thermal conductivity compared to conventional fluids. Hydrophobicity of CNT poses a challenge to disperse CNT in polar basefluid. Surfactants can solve this issue up to a certain extent only but have some associated disadvantages such as foam formation, stickiness and viscosity enhancement responsible for an increase in power required to pump Nanofluid in heat transfer devices. This work presents preparation of a hybrid nanofluid as an alternative. Cu−CNT hybrid nanoparticles were generated in this research using in‐situ preparation of Cu nanoparticles in the presence of CNT and dispersion in double distilled water without addition of surfactant to produce a stable nanofluid. FESEM with EDX confirms copper nanoparticles present on outer surface of MWCNT and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the covalent functionalization. Spectral analysis, Zeta potential, and DLS were used to evaluate the dispersibility of Cu−CNT hybrid nanofluid. The results showed that the samples were extremely stable, with maximum stability of about 168 days. XRD pattern of Cu−CNT hybrid nanoparticles confirmed the existence of Cu and CNT. Nanofluid demonstrated a minor increase in density and viscosity compared to basefluid water due to addition of nanoparticles. An increase in thermal conductivity was also observed, which is critical for heat transfer applications.