A one-step eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of cuprous oxide nanofluids for energy systems with excellent thermal conductivity and stability

Abstract

Nanofluids have materialized as promising contenders for boosting the thermal properties of heat transfer fluids, yet their synthesis often involves complex procedures. As the demand for efficient solar energy utilization continues to rise, an innovative nanofluid synthesis method offering a sustainable solution to address critical thermal management challenges is highly needed. Here, we present a one-step chemical reduction synthesis method facilitated by ribose, offering simplicity and environmental friendliness compared to traditional methods. The resulting nanofluid comprises nano-scale cuprous oxide particles, exhibiting Newtonian behavior. Remarkably, the nanofluid demonstrates a high thermal conductivity of 3.45 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ and maintains stability over a remarkable 6-month period, attributed to the inclusion of polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a stabilizing agent. By leveraging the unique properties of nanofluids, we aim to contribute to the advancement of solar technologies, by enabling increased efficiency and reliability in solar energy systems by customizing the nanofluid properties to specific energy needs.