Enhanced thermal conductivity of Cu Grafted graphene-C2H6O2 based nanofluids by laser ablation for potential application as coolants in data centers

Abstract This contribution reports for the first time on the enhancement of the thermal conductivity of graphene grafted with Cu nanoparticles—ethylene glycol-based nanofluid (with a relatively low Cu volume concentration of about 0.3% & without any dispersant). This latter nanofluid engineered...

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Main Authors: M. Aligholami, M. Akbari, R. Morad, T. M. Moodley, M. Adebisi, T. Fakude, S. Heshmatian, M. Maaza
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00622-1
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author M. Aligholami
M. Akbari
R. Morad
T. M. Moodley
M. Adebisi
T. Fakude
S. Heshmatian
M. Maaza
author_facet M. Aligholami
M. Akbari
R. Morad
T. M. Moodley
M. Adebisi
T. Fakude
S. Heshmatian
M. Maaza
author_sort M. Aligholami
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This contribution reports for the first time on the enhancement of the thermal conductivity of graphene grafted with Cu nanoparticles—ethylene glycol-based nanofluid (with a relatively low Cu volume concentration of about 0.3% & without any dispersant). This latter nanofluid engineered by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid Solution (LLSI-PLAL) exhibited a significant thermal conductivity enhancement of 12.6% conjugated to a noteworthy time stability of at least 3 to 4 weeks without any additional dispersing agent of any sort. This latter time stability corroborates with Density Functional Theory as well as the Molecular Dynamic theoretical investigations. These latter showed that the binding affinity of Cu nanoparticles onto graphene nanosheets is far superior relative to those of Au or Ag nanoparticles onto graphene (bridge adsorption energies of -0.58, -0.24, and -0.5 eV for Cu, Ag & Au, respectively). Cost-wise, compared to previously validated Au-Graphene/EG and Ag-Graphene/EG, the reported Cu-Graphene/EG nanofluids would be more suitable for mass production in view of their cost-effectiveness, especially in mass technological applications, including but not limited to heat removal & cooling in data centers.
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spelling doaj-art-e10b3d8dab4e45e381032590b50d81262025-08-20T03:08:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-00622-1Enhanced thermal conductivity of Cu Grafted graphene-C2H6O2 based nanofluids by laser ablation for potential application as coolants in data centersM. Aligholami0M. Akbari1R. Morad2T. M. Moodley3M. Adebisi4T. Fakude5S. Heshmatian6M. Maaza7College of Graduate Studies, UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South AfricaCollege of Graduate Studies, UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South AfricaCollege of Graduate Studies, UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South AfricaPhysics Department, University of Kwazulu NatalPhysics Department, University of Kwazulu NatalCollege of Graduate Studies, UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South AfricaCollege of Graduate Studies, UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South AfricaCollege of Graduate Studies, UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences-Nanotechnology, University of South AfricaAbstract This contribution reports for the first time on the enhancement of the thermal conductivity of graphene grafted with Cu nanoparticles—ethylene glycol-based nanofluid (with a relatively low Cu volume concentration of about 0.3% & without any dispersant). This latter nanofluid engineered by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid Solution (LLSI-PLAL) exhibited a significant thermal conductivity enhancement of 12.6% conjugated to a noteworthy time stability of at least 3 to 4 weeks without any additional dispersing agent of any sort. This latter time stability corroborates with Density Functional Theory as well as the Molecular Dynamic theoretical investigations. These latter showed that the binding affinity of Cu nanoparticles onto graphene nanosheets is far superior relative to those of Au or Ag nanoparticles onto graphene (bridge adsorption energies of -0.58, -0.24, and -0.5 eV for Cu, Ag & Au, respectively). Cost-wise, compared to previously validated Au-Graphene/EG and Ag-Graphene/EG, the reported Cu-Graphene/EG nanofluids would be more suitable for mass production in view of their cost-effectiveness, especially in mass technological applications, including but not limited to heat removal & cooling in data centers.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00622-1NanofluidsGrapheneCopper nanoparticlesNanocompositesEthylene glycolNew generation of coolants
spellingShingle M. Aligholami
M. Akbari
R. Morad
T. M. Moodley
M. Adebisi
T. Fakude
S. Heshmatian
M. Maaza
Enhanced thermal conductivity of Cu Grafted graphene-C2H6O2 based nanofluids by laser ablation for potential application as coolants in data centers
Scientific Reports
Nanofluids
Graphene
Copper nanoparticles
Nanocomposites
Ethylene glycol
New generation of coolants
title Enhanced thermal conductivity of Cu Grafted graphene-C2H6O2 based nanofluids by laser ablation for potential application as coolants in data centers
title_full Enhanced thermal conductivity of Cu Grafted graphene-C2H6O2 based nanofluids by laser ablation for potential application as coolants in data centers
title_fullStr Enhanced thermal conductivity of Cu Grafted graphene-C2H6O2 based nanofluids by laser ablation for potential application as coolants in data centers
title_full_unstemmed Enhanced thermal conductivity of Cu Grafted graphene-C2H6O2 based nanofluids by laser ablation for potential application as coolants in data centers
title_short Enhanced thermal conductivity of Cu Grafted graphene-C2H6O2 based nanofluids by laser ablation for potential application as coolants in data centers
title_sort enhanced thermal conductivity of cu grafted graphene c2h6o2 based nanofluids by laser ablation for potential application as coolants in data centers
topic Nanofluids
Graphene
Copper nanoparticles
Nanocomposites
Ethylene glycol
New generation of coolants
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00622-1
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