An experimental and theoretical study of the influence of surfactant on the preparation and stability of ammonia-water nanofluids

Two types of nanofluids are obtained by adding the mixture of carbon black nanoparticles with emulsifier OP-10, and Al2O3 nanoparticles with sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) in the ammonia-water solution, respectively. The dispersion stability of the prepared nanofluids in different mass fractions of surfactants is investigated by the light absorbency ratio index methods. The results show that with the increase of mass fraction of surfactant, the stability of carbon black nanofluid is improved firstly and then is exacerbated, while the stability of Al2O3 nanofluid is exacerbated firstly, then is improved, and then is exacerbated again. The influences of surfactant on the stability of ammonia-water nanofluids abide by the monolayer adsorption theory or electric double layer adsorption theory. Finally, the theoretical surfactant mass fractions required in the preparation of ammonia-water nanofluids are calculated by simplifying the dispersion models and the results are in accordance with experimental results. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.