In Situ Synthesis of Alumina Nanoparticles in a Binary Carbonate Salt Eutectic for Enhancing Heat Capacity
A binary carbonate salt eutectic (Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>-K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>)-based nanofluid was in situ synthesized by mixing with a precursor material, aluminum nitrate nonahydrate (Al(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/10/11/2131 |
| Summary: | A binary carbonate salt eutectic (Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>-K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>)-based nanofluid was in situ synthesized by mixing with a precursor material, aluminum nitrate nonahydrate (Al(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>·9H<sub>2</sub>O). Thermal decomposition of the precursor was successfully carried out to synthesize alumina (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) nanoparticles at 1 wt.% concentration. A thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed a complete thermal decomposition of aluminum nitrate nonahydrate to alumina nanoparticles. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) was employed to confirm the size and shape of the in situ formed nanoparticles; the result showed that they are spherical in shape and the average size was 28.7 nm with a standard deviation of 11.7 nm. Electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the observed nanoparticles are alumina nanoparticles. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to study microstructural changes in the salt. A differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was employed to study the heat capacity of the in situ synthesized nanofluid. The result showed that the heat capacity was enhanced by 21% at 550 °C in comparison with pure carbonate salt eutectic. About 10–11 °C decrease of the onset melting point of the binary carbonate salt eutectic was observed for the in situ synthesized nanofluids. |
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| ISSN: | 2079-4991 |