Synthesis, characterisation and thermo-physical properties of highly stable graphene oxide-based aqueous nanofluids for potential low-temperature direct absorption solar applications

Wisut Cham Sa-Ard; Derek Fawcett; Chun Che Fung; Peter Chapman; Supriya Rattan; Gerrard Eddy Jai Poinern

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-94406-y

Synthesis, characterisation and thermo-physical properties of highly stable graphene oxide-based aqueous nanofluids for potential low-temperature direct absorption solar applications

Sci Rep. 2021 Aug 16;11(1):16549. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-94406-y.

Authors

Wisut Cham Sa-Ard¹, Derek Fawcett¹, Chun Che Fung², Peter Chapman³, Supriya Rattan¹, Gerrard Eddy Jai Poinern⁴

Affiliations

¹ Murdoch Applied Innovation Nanotechnology Research Group, Department of Physics, Energy Studies and Nanotechnology, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.
² School of Engineering and Energy, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.
³ School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.
⁴ Murdoch Applied Innovation Nanotechnology Research Group, Department of Physics, Energy Studies and Nanotechnology, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia. g.poinern@murdoch.edu.au.

Abstract

Two types of highly stable 0.1% graphene oxide-based aqueous nanofluids were synthesised and investigated. The first nanofluid (GO) was prepared under the influence of ultrasonic irradiation without surfactant. The second nanofluid was treated with tetra ethyl ammonium hydroxide to reduce the graphene oxide to form reduced graphene oxide (RGO) during ultrasonic irradiation. The GO and RGO powders were characterised by various techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman. Also UV-visible absorption spectroscopy was carried out and band gap energies were determined. Optical band gap energies for indirect transitions ranged from 3.4 to 4.4 eV and for direct transitions they ranged between 2.2 and 3.7 eV. Thermal conductivity measurements of the GO-based aqueous nanofluid revealed an enhancement of 9.5% at 40 °C compared to pure water, while the RGO-based aqueous nanofluid at 40 °C had a value 9.23% lower than pure water. Furthermore, the photothermal response of the RGO-based aqueous nanofluid had a temperature increase of 13.5 °C, (enhancement of 60.2%) compared to pure water, the GO-based aqueous nanofluid only displayed a temperature rise of 10.9 °C, (enhancement of 46.6%) after 20 min exposure to a solar irradiance of 1000 W m^-2. Both nanofluid types displayed good long-term stability, with the GO-based aqueous nanofluid having a zeta potential of 30.3 mV and the RGO-based aqueous nanofluid having a value of 47.6 mV after 6 months. The good dispersion stability and photothermal performance makes both nanofluid types very promising working fluids for low-temperature direct absorption solar collectors.