Exfoliated graphene oxide-based nanofluids with enhanced thermal and optical properties for solar collectors in concentrating solar power

Year: 2020

Authors: Aguilar T., Sani E., Mercatelli L., Carrillo-Berdugo I., Torres E., Navas J.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Cadiz, Fac Ciencias, Dept Quim Fis, E-11510 Cadiz, Spain; Basque Res & Technol Alliance BRTA, Ctr Cooperat Res Alternat Energies CIC EnergiGUNE, Alava Technol Pk,Albert Einstein 48, Vitoria 01510, Spain; CNR INO Natl Inst Opt, Largo E Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy.

Abstract: Nanofluids are considered a promising alternative to the classic fluids used in heat transfer processes. One interesting application of nanofluids is their use as heat transfer fluid in thermosolar plants, such as those using concentrating solar power (CSP) technology. In turn, graphene oxide is an interesting nanomaterial for preparing nanofluids for solar thermal applications due to its appealing properties, such as high thermal conductivity, easy exfoliation and high black coloration. Therefore, this study presents the preparation by means of a liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) process of nanofluids based on graphene oxide in a typical fluid used in CSP plants. The efficiency of the LPE process and the stability of the nanofluids were analysed using UV–Vis spectroscopy, particle size measurements and transmission electron microscopy. Thermal properties were also measured, improvements of up to 6.6% and 45.5% being found for isobaric specific heat and thermal conductivity, respectively. Finally, strong-colored nanofluids were obtained and their optical properties were therefore characterized. Due to the strong coloration of the nanofluids, they can be used for designing Direct Absorption Solar Collectors (DASC).

Journal/Review: JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS

Volume: 306      Pages from: 112862-1  to: 112862-9

More Information: We thank the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades of the Spanish Government for funding under Grant No. RTI2018096393-B-I00, and for the financial support related to measurements of thermal properties, which were carried out using devices acquired under Grant No. UNCA15-CE-2945. We also thank Andalusian Government for funding under Grant No. SOL-201800107510-TRA. Elisa Sani and Javier Navas acknowledge EU COST for the STSM Grants with references COST-CA15119-STSM-42437 and COSTCA15119-STSM-42461 linked to the Cost Action “Overcoming Barriers to Nanofluids Market Uptake (NANOUPTAKE)”.
KeyWords: Nanofluid
Concentrating solar power
Graphene oxide
Direct absorption solar collectors
Thermal properties
DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.112862

Citations: 37
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