Synthesis and thermo-physical properties of water-based novel Ag/ZnO hybrid nanofluids

the comparative study on the thermo-physical properties of water-based zno nanofluids and ag/zno hybrid nanofluids is reported in the present study. the outer surface of zno nanoparticles was modified with a thin coating of ag nanoparticles by a wet chemical method for improved stability and heat transfer properties. the zno and ag/zno nanofluids were prepared with varying volume concentration (ϕ = 0.02–0.1%). the synthesized nanoparticles and nanofluids were characterized with different characterization methods viz., scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, thermal conductivity measurement, and viscosity measurement. results show that thermal conductivity of ag/zno hybrid nanofluids is found to be significantly higher compared to zno nanofluids. the maximum thermal conductivity an enhancement for ag/zno nanofluid (ϕ = 0.1%) is found to 20% and 28% when it compared with zno nanofluid (ϕ = 0.1%) and water, respectively.