Modeling transient absorption and thermal conductivity in a simple nanofluid

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the thermal properties of nanofluids, demonstrating the effectiveness of transient absorption experiments in measuring interfacial resistance and confirming classical models for heat conductivity.

Contribution

It introduces a molecular simulation approach to evaluate interfacial resistance and thermal conductivity in nanofluids, highlighting the role of confinement, particle mass, and Brownian motion.

Findings

Transient absorption experiments reliably measure interfacial resistance.

Classical Maxwell Garnet model accurately predicts nanofluid thermal conductivity without collective effects.

Simulation separates effects of confinement, particle mass, and Brownian motion on heat transfer.

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to simulate the thermal properties of a model fluid containing nanoparticles (nanofluid). By modelling transient absorption experiments, we show that they provide a reliable determination of interfacial resistance between the particle and the fluid. The flexibility of molecular simulation allows us to consider separately the effect of confinement, particle mass and Brownian motion on the thermal transfer between fluid and particle. Finally, we show that in the absence of collective effects, the heat conductivity of the nanofluid is well described by the classical Maxwell Garnet equation model.