Abstract

SUBRAMANIYAN, A L; PRIYA, Sukumaran Lakshmi; KOTTAISAMY, M  and  ILANGOVAN, R. Investigations on the absorption spectrum of TiO₂ nanofluid. J. energy South. Afr. [online]. 2014, vol.25, n.4, pp.123-127. ISSN 2413-3051.

Nanofluids are tailored nano- colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles in a suitable base fluid. This present work investigates the absorption spectrum in TiO₂-water nanofluids to identify the potential application of nanofluids in Direct Absorption Solar Collectors (DASC). Nanoparticles of Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) are prepared by sol gel and characterized by X Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). TiO₂-water nanofluids with weight fraction of 0.1% are prepared by a two-step process with sonication. The prepared nanofluids are investigated for their stability by a gravity sedimentation method and for their optical property by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Stability of nanofluid is essential for the applications of nanofluid in DASC. TiO₂ nanoparticles with a crystallite size of 43nm are obtained .The SEM image reveals the agglomerated state of TiO₂ nanoparticles and the stability of TiO₂ nanofluid is reported as 9-10days. UV results indicate the decrease in absorption from 440-500nm, complete absorption from 500-700nm and increase in absorption from 700-900nm.TiO₂ nanofluids are recommended as potential candidates for DASC in UV and IR regions.

Keywords : nanofluid; TiO₂; sedimentation; absorption; DASC.

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