The Dispersion Behaviour of Nanoparticle in Ethanol-Water Mixture with Surfactants

The study on stability of nanofluids is of utmost importance in order to be able to fully utilize its potentials especially the enhanced thermodynamic properties of the nanofluids. Nanofluids stability can be related to the density of charge on the surface of the particles (electrokinetic properties). High surface charge density generates strong repulsive force between particles, and thus, increasing the stability of the suspension due to less agglomeration of particles. One of the highly effective ways to increase the particles surface charge density is by the addition of surface active agents (surfactants) which increases the value of zeta potential of the nanofluid suspension, hence, increasing the repulsive force between the particles. This study focuses on achieving the stability of nanofluids by the addition of surfactants, which are Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) and Triton X-100 (TX-100) into the suspension of Alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles in ethanol-water mixture. Sedimentation studies on the nanofluid suspensions with different concentration of nanoparticles (0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 wt. %) and base fluid (10, 30, 50, 70, 100 wt. % ethanol in water) with and without surfactants are to be carried out to compare the stability of the suspension before and after the addition of surfactants.