New specific heat data for Al2O3 and CuO nanoparticles in suspension in water and Ethylene Glycol

In this paper, specific heat measurements are performed for two water-based nanofluids, water-Al2O3-10 nm and water-CuO-29nm, and an Ethylene Glycol-Al2O3-10 nm nanofluid, with different concentrations: 0,24%, 1,03% and 4,05% for water-CuO nanofluid; 2% and 5% for water-Al2O3 nanofluid, and 1%, 2,5% and 5% for EG-Al2O3 nanofluid. Under controlled temperature and humidity conditions and following a rigorous three-step measuring procedure, some new specific heat data are obtained during the pseudo-steady heating phase (i.e. with a very low heating rate of 0.2 K/min) for 283K358K temperature range with water-based nanofluid, and for 283K423K range with EG-based nanofluids. A performance comparison for four theoretical and empirical models has been performed with respect to the present experimental data. A new correlation, obtained from a recalibrating coefficients of an existing empirical model, has been proposed. •New specific heat data obtained for three water-based and EG-based nanofluids.•10 nm-Al2O3 and 29 nm-CuO particles with volume fractions from 0.24% to 5%.•Four theoretical/empirical models evaluated using present measured data.•A new correlation with the maximum relative error of 2% is proposed.