Factors affecting the pH and electrical conductivity of MgO–ethylene glycol nanofluids

Abstract

The pH and electrical conductivity are important properties of nanofluids that have not been widely studied, especially with regard to temperature and ultrasonication energy. To study the factors that affect the pH and electrical conductivity of magnesium oxide–ethylene glycol (MgO–EG) nanofluid, the effects of temperature, volume fraction, particle size and ultrasonication energy were investigated. Two different sizes of MgO were dispersed in EG base fluid up to the volume fraction of 3%, and the pH and electrical conductivity were monitored between the temperatures of 20 and 70°C. Characterization by transmission electron microscopy and size analyses revealed the morphology and sizes of the nanoparticle samples. The pH values dropped consistently with the increase of temperature, while electrical conductivity value increased with the increase of temperature. The experimental result showed that the increase in the MgO volume fraction increased both the pH and electrical conductivity values of the MgO–EG nanofluid. There was no recognizable influence of ultrasonication energy density on the pH and electrical conductivity of the nanofluid; therefore, it was concluded that temperature, volume fraction and particle size are the predominant factors affecting both the pH and electrical conductivity of MgO–EG nanofluid within the present experimental conditions.