Organometallic Sodium Carbide for Heat Transfer Applications: A Thermal Lens Study

The search for excellent heat transfer fluids necessitates the development of novel nanofluids. The paper is the first report revealing the potential of sodium carbide (Na 2 C 2 ) nanoparticle for heat transfer and thermal shielding applications. For this, Na 2 C 2 is prepared from the porous carbon matrix of Aloe vera leaves by hydrothermal method. The morphological changes on hydrothermal treatment and the thermal stability are analyzed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Thermogravimetry. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the formation of sodium carbide, which is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, Ultraviolet–Visible–Near Infrared, and Raman spectroscopic analyses. The spectroscopic study of the sample synthesized shows indirect bandgap energy of 1.58 eV. The thermal diffusivity of Na 2 C 2 nanofluid, determined by the single-beam thermal lens technique, exhibited 87 % enhancement for the base fluid, suggesting its potential in heat transfer applications.