Beyond Thermal Conductivity: A Review of Nanofluids for Enhanced Energy Storage and Heat Transfer
The development of nanofluids (NFs) has significantly advanced the thermal performance of heat transfer fluids (HTFs) in heating and cooling applications. This review examines the synergistic effects of different nanoparticles (NPs)—including metallic, metallic oxide, and carbonaceous types—on the t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/4/302 |
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| author | Ali Mirahmad Ravi Shankar Kumar Breogán Pato Doldán Cristina Prieto Rios Javier Díez-Sierra |
| author_facet | Ali Mirahmad Ravi Shankar Kumar Breogán Pato Doldán Cristina Prieto Rios Javier Díez-Sierra |
| author_sort | Ali Mirahmad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The development of nanofluids (NFs) has significantly advanced the thermal performance of heat transfer fluids (HTFs) in heating and cooling applications. This review examines the synergistic effects of different nanoparticles (NPs)—including metallic, metallic oxide, and carbonaceous types—on the thermal conductivity (TC) and specific heat capacity (SHC) of base fluids like molecular, molten salts and ionic liquids. While adding NPs typically enhances TC and heat transfer, it can reduce SHC, posing challenges for energy storage and sustainable thermal management. Key factors such as NP composition, shape, size, concentration, and base fluid selection are analyzed to understand the mechanisms driving these improvements. The review also emphasizes the importance of interfacial interactions and proper NP dispersion for fluid stability. Strategies like optimizing NP formulations and utilizing solid–solid phase transitions are proposed to enhance both TC and SHC without significantly increasing viscosity, a common drawback in NFs. By balancing these properties, NFs hold great potential for renewable energy systems, particularly in improving energy storage efficiency. The review also outlines future research directions to overcome current challenges and expand the application of NFs in sustainable energy solutions, contributing to reduced carbon emissions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eaf194386357499ca99b228cffc5b2db |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj-art-eaf194386357499ca99b228cffc5b2db2025-08-20T02:44:43ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-02-0115430210.3390/nano15040302Beyond Thermal Conductivity: A Review of Nanofluids for Enhanced Energy Storage and Heat TransferAli Mirahmad0Ravi Shankar Kumar1Breogán Pato Doldán2Cristina Prieto Rios3Javier Díez-Sierra4Iberian Center for Research in Energy Storage, Thermal Energy Storage Department, CIIAE, Avda. de las Letras, s/n, Campus University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainIberian Center for Research in Energy Storage, Thermal Energy Storage Department, CIIAE, Avda. de las Letras, s/n, Campus University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainIberian Center for Research in Energy Storage, Thermal Energy Storage Department, CIIAE, Avda. de las Letras, s/n, Campus University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainDepartment of Energy Engineering, University of Seville, Camino de los Descubrimientos, s/n, 41092 Seville, SpainIberian Center for Research in Energy Storage, Thermal Energy Storage Department, CIIAE, Avda. de las Letras, s/n, Campus University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainThe development of nanofluids (NFs) has significantly advanced the thermal performance of heat transfer fluids (HTFs) in heating and cooling applications. This review examines the synergistic effects of different nanoparticles (NPs)—including metallic, metallic oxide, and carbonaceous types—on the thermal conductivity (TC) and specific heat capacity (SHC) of base fluids like molecular, molten salts and ionic liquids. While adding NPs typically enhances TC and heat transfer, it can reduce SHC, posing challenges for energy storage and sustainable thermal management. Key factors such as NP composition, shape, size, concentration, and base fluid selection are analyzed to understand the mechanisms driving these improvements. The review also emphasizes the importance of interfacial interactions and proper NP dispersion for fluid stability. Strategies like optimizing NP formulations and utilizing solid–solid phase transitions are proposed to enhance both TC and SHC without significantly increasing viscosity, a common drawback in NFs. By balancing these properties, NFs hold great potential for renewable energy systems, particularly in improving energy storage efficiency. The review also outlines future research directions to overcome current challenges and expand the application of NFs in sustainable energy solutions, contributing to reduced carbon emissions.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/4/302heat transfer fluidnanofluidnanoparticlespecific heat capacitythermal conductivitythermal energy storage |
| spellingShingle | Ali Mirahmad Ravi Shankar Kumar Breogán Pato Doldán Cristina Prieto Rios Javier Díez-Sierra Beyond Thermal Conductivity: A Review of Nanofluids for Enhanced Energy Storage and Heat Transfer Nanomaterials heat transfer fluid nanofluid nanoparticle specific heat capacity thermal conductivity thermal energy storage |
| title | Beyond Thermal Conductivity: A Review of Nanofluids for Enhanced Energy Storage and Heat Transfer |
| title_full | Beyond Thermal Conductivity: A Review of Nanofluids for Enhanced Energy Storage and Heat Transfer |
| title_fullStr | Beyond Thermal Conductivity: A Review of Nanofluids for Enhanced Energy Storage and Heat Transfer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond Thermal Conductivity: A Review of Nanofluids for Enhanced Energy Storage and Heat Transfer |
| title_short | Beyond Thermal Conductivity: A Review of Nanofluids for Enhanced Energy Storage and Heat Transfer |
| title_sort | beyond thermal conductivity a review of nanofluids for enhanced energy storage and heat transfer |
| topic | heat transfer fluid nanofluid nanoparticle specific heat capacity thermal conductivity thermal energy storage |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/4/302 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alimirahmad beyondthermalconductivityareviewofnanofluidsforenhancedenergystorageandheattransfer AT ravishankarkumar beyondthermalconductivityareviewofnanofluidsforenhancedenergystorageandheattransfer AT breoganpatodoldan beyondthermalconductivityareviewofnanofluidsforenhancedenergystorageandheattransfer AT cristinaprietorios beyondthermalconductivityareviewofnanofluidsforenhancedenergystorageandheattransfer AT javierdiezsierra beyondthermalconductivityareviewofnanofluidsforenhancedenergystorageandheattransfer |