Synthesis, characterization, and measurement techniques for the thermophysical properties of nanofluids

Nanofluids are considered a new class of heat transfer fluids that have drawn researchers’ attentions to utilize them in different heat transfer applications to replace conventional fluid. For the synthesis of nanofluids, the two widely accepted fundamental methods are one-step and two-step methods. This chapter provides a detailed discussion of different synthesis processes of nanofluids followed by different characterization techniques (i.e., FTIR, UV–Vis, XRD, TEM, and zeta potential) to analyze materials, structure, shape, size, and size composition, and physical and chemical properties of nanofluids. To enhance the heat transfer process using nanofluids, distinct thermophysical properties of nanofluids (i.e., thermal conductivity, viscosity, specific heat, and density) play an essential role. This chapter discusses different measurement techniques and different correlations used by researchers for measuring these properties and different correlations used by researchers.