Magnetic alignment of Ni-coated single wall carbon nanotubes in heat transfer nanofluids

Thermal conductivity (TC) of heat transfer nanofluids containing magnetic-metal-coated carbon nanotubes can be significantly enhanced (>60%) by applied magnetic field. In this paper, we report the observed real images of Ni-coated single wall carbon nanotubes in water and oils (polyalphaolefin, polyol ester) under magnetic field by high speed microscopy, and correlate them with TC measurements. Initially, the nanotubes are randomly dispersed in the fluid, however, on longer holding in magnetic field the nanotubes gradually stretch and are finally aligned. The chain length in the images is found to be around 30 similar to 150 mu m, which is much longer than the real length of individual nanotubes (5 similar to 40 mu m ), indicating that nanotubes are aligned and form some chains and clusters. Because of the semicontinuous nature of Ni magnetic nanoparticles, as well as the viscosity resistance of the fluid itself, it takes some time for the Ni-coated nanotubes to respond to the applied magnetic field and align. Time dependent TC experiments indicate that alignment process dominates the TC enhancement rather than microconvection. Finally, scanning electron microscopy images also show that the Ni coated nanotubes are aligned well under the influence of a magnetic field. Transmission electron microscopy images indicate that nickel remains stable and attached onto the nanotubes after the magnetic field exposure and movements. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3428450]