Thermophysical properties of water-based nanofluids modified with few-layer graphene

The paper describes a method for the production of water-based nanofluids with few-layer graphene (FLG) synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). The advantage of this method is the possibility of synthesizing large volumes of material without Stone-Wales defects at low cost. This study presents results on the viscosity, electrical conductivity, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity of water-based nanofluids modified with FLG. By using 0.8 mass % FLG obtained by SHS, it became possible to obtain stable nanofluids without the use of surfactants. The FLG concentration of 0.8 mass % increased thermal conductivity by up to 2.3 times and electrical conductivity by up to 90 times compared to pure water at 60 °C. At the same time, there were no significant changes in the viscosity or heat capacity of the nanofluids at different FLG concentrations and temperatures. [Display omitted] •The water-based nanofluids were prepared for the first time with Few-layer graphene (FLG) synthesized under self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) without the use of surfactants.•The nanofluids were prepared with an enhanced thermal conductivity up to ∼ 230 % at 60 °C compared to the initial water using 0.8 mass. % FLG.•Hybrid model of thermal conductivity changing in FLG-water nanofluids was proposed is based on localized convection of liquid during Brownian motion of FLG aggregates.