Synthesis and Characterization of Cube-Shaped Cu2O Nanoparticles for Heat Transfer Enhancement Application

This project studies on the synthesis of cube-shaped cuprous oxide nanoparticles and evaluation of thermophysical properties of the nanofluid containing synthesized nanoparticles for heat transfer applications. Nanofluids are proven to have higher potential as a cooling medium in heat transfer applications due to its high thermal conductivity property. However, the nanofluids are not stable as the nanoparticles are not well dispersed and forms two layers. Shape of the nanoparticle is also an important factor in ensuring enhanced thermophysical properties of the nanofluid. Hence, in this project, cube-shaped cuprous oxide nanoparticles are synthesized because cube shape has high surface area to volume ratio. A two-step method is chosen as the procedure to prepare the cuprous oxide nanofluid which first focuses on the synthesis of the cuprous oxide nanoparticles in powder form using different bases and continued with the preparation of nanofluid using methanol as the base fluid. The thermophysical properties of the prepared nanofluid is then evaluated to determine the thermal conductivity, viscosity and density.