Molecular dynamics simulation on flow behavior of nanofluids between flat plates under shear flow condition

Molecular dynamic model of nanofluid between flat plates under shear flow conditions was built. The nanofluid model consisted of 12 spherical copper nanoparticles with each particle diameter of 4 nm and argon atoms as base liquid. The Lennard–Jones (LJ) potential function was adopted to deal with the interactions between atoms. Thus, the motion states of nanoparticles during the process of flowing were obtained and the flow behaviors of nanofluid between flat plates at different moments could be analyzed. The simulation results showed that an absorption layer of argon atoms existed surrounding each nanoparticle and would accompany with the particle to move. The absorption layer contributed little to the flow of nanoparticles but much to the heat transferring in nanofluids. Another phenomenon observed during shear flowing process was that the nanoparticles would vibrate and rotate besides main flowing with liquid argon and these micro-motions could strengthen partial flowing in nanofluids.