SYNTHESIS OF CARBON-BASED NANO FLUIDS

A minor project report submitted for the partial fulfilment of academic

requirements for the award of Degree in Bachelor of Engineering in the
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Submitted by

RAKSHITH GOWDA – 4NI21ME411

AMJAD KHAN – 4NI21ME401
Under the supervision of
Dr. MRINAL K R
Assistant Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

The National Institute of Engineering
(An Autonomous Institute under Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi)
Manandavadi Road, Mysuru – 570008, Karnataka, INDIA
Carbon-Dot Based Nano Fluids 2022-23

The National Institute of Engineering

(An Autonomous Institute under Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi)
Manandavadi Road, Mysuru – 570008, Karnataka, INDIA

Accredited by National Board of Accreditation, New Delhi

Recognized by AICTE, New Delhi
Grant-in-Aid by Government of Karnataka

Department of Mechanical Engineering

CERTIFICATE

Certified that the project work entitled SYNTHESIS OF CARBON BASEDNANOFLUIDS

carried out by Mr. Rakshith Gowda USN 4NI21ME411 and Mr. Amjad Khan USN
4NI21ME401 bonafide students of 6th Semester is submitted in partial fulfilment for the
award of Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering of The National Institute of
Engineering, Mysuru, an autonomous institute under Visvesvaraya Technological
University, Belagavi during the year 2022-23. It is certified that all suggestions/ corrections
suggested during Internal Assessment have been incorporated in the Report deposited in the
departmental library.

The project report has been approved as it satisfies the academic requirements in respect of
minor project work prescribed for the award of the said Degree.

Dr. Mrinal K R Dr. K R Prakash Signature of the Principal

Assistant Professor professor and HOD

Sl. No. Name of the examiners Signature with date

1. ______________________
2. ______________________

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DECLARATION

We, Name: Rakshith Gowda bearing USN: 4NI21ME411 Name: Amjad Khan bearing
USN: 4NI21ME401 are students of 6th semester of Department of Mechanical
Engineering, The National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru here by declare that the
minor project work entitled “SYNTHESIS OF CARBON-BASED NANO
FLUIDS” has been carried out by us under the guidance of Dr. Mrinal K R, Assistant
professor. This minor project work is submitted to The National Institute of
Engineering, Mysuru, (An Autonomous institute under VTU, Belagavi) in partial
fulfilment of the course requirements for the award of degree in Bachelor of
Engineering in Mechanical Engineering during the academic year 2022 - 23. This
written submission represents a record of original work and we have adequately cited
and referenced the original sources.

Further the matter embodied in this thesis has not been submitted to any other University
or Institution for the award of any degree.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Apart from our efforts, the progress of the project depends largely on the encouragement
and guidelines of many others. We take this opportunity to express our guideline to the
people who have been instrumental in the progress of the project.

We would like to acknowledge our sincere thanks to Dr. Rohini NagaPadma, Principal,
The
National Institute of Engineering.

We also convey our indebtedness to Dr. K.R. Prakash, Professor and Head, Department
of Mechanical Engineering, NIE Mysuru for his cooperation and guidance.

We also convey our indebtedness to Mr. Mrinal K R, Assistant Professor, Department of

Mechanical Engineering, NIE Mysuru for his cooperation. Our sincere thanks for your
guidance and constant supervision as well as for providing necessary information
regarding the project.

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ABSTRACT

This project focuses on the synthesis and characterization of carbon dot-based

nanofluids using copper acetate and ascorbic acid. The aim is to explore the
potential of these nanofluids for various applications, particularly in solar
thermal systems. The synthesis process involves dissolving ascorbic acid in
deionized water, adding copper acetate as a catalyst, and subjecting the fluid to
controlled heating and stirring. The resulting nanofluid exhibits distinct colour
changes, indicating the formation and growth of carbon dots. After settling and
filtration, a purified nanofluid sample is obtained. The study highlights the
potential of carbon dot-based nanofluids for enhancing solar absorptivity and
improving thermal efficiency in solar thermal collectors. Further
characterization and analysis are necessary to optimize their performance and
realize their full potential in renewable energy technologies.

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INDEX PAGE
Details Page No

Title page 1

Certificate 2

Declaration 3

Acknowledgement 4

Abstract 5

Index 6

Chapter 1: Introduction
1.Introduction 7

1.1. Objectives 8

1.2. Literature Review 9

1.3 Literature Review Outcomes 10

Chapter 2: Materials and Methodology

2.1. Material. 11

2.2. Preparation 11

2.3. Filtration 14

Chapter 3:
Conclusions 15

References 16

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FIGURE INDEX
Details Page No

Fig 2.2 (Synthesis procedure of C-dot nanofluid) 12

Fig 2.21(a) (Dissolving) 13

Fig 2.21(a) (Dissolving) 13

Fig 2.22 (Heating and stirring) 14

Fig 2.3 (Filtration Setup) 15

Fig 2.3 (a) (Filtering) 15

Fig 2.3 (b) (Left Out) 15

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CHAPTER 1
1.INTRODUCTION
In recent years, the field of nanotechnology has witnessed significant advancements in
the development of novel materials with unique properties and diverse applications.
Among these materials, carbon dots (C-dots) have emerged as a promising class of
carbon-based nanoparticles, renowned for their remarkable optical and electronic
properties. These nanoscale carbon particles, typically smaller than 10 nanometers,
have garnered substantial interest due to their excellent stability, biocompatibility, and
tunable photoluminescence.

In this context, the synthesis and characterization of carbon dots-based nanofluids

have attracted considerable attention. Nanofluids are suspensions of nanoparticles in a
base fluid, which can exhibit enhanced thermophysical and optical properties
compared to the base fluid alone. By incorporating carbon dots into the nanofluidic
systems, researchers aim to capitalize on the distinctive properties of both the carbon
dots and the base fluid, opening up new avenues for various applications such as
optoelectronics, energy storage, catalysis, and biomedical engineering.

One promising method for synthesizing carbon dots involves the utilization of copper
acetate and ascorbic acid. Copper acetate acts as a precursor, while ascorbic acid
serves as a reducing agent, facilitating the conversion of the precursor into carbon
dots. This synthesis route offers several advantages, including simplicity, low cost,
and scalability. Moreover, the use of ascorbic acid as a reducing agent ensures an eco-
friendly and sustainable approach to the production of carbon dots.

Following the synthesis process, thorough characterization of the carbon dots-based

nanofluids is crucial to understand their structure, composition, and properties.
Techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

The successful synthesis and comprehensive characterization of carbon dots-based

nanofluids using copper acetate and ascorbic acid present immense opportunities for

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advancements in both fundamental research and practical applications. By tailoring

the synthesis parameters and optimizing the nanofluid formulation, researchers can
fine-tune the properties of carbon dots-based nanofluids to meet specific requirements
in various fields. This research paves the way for the development of highly efficient
and multifunctional nanofluidic systems with potential applications in energy,
electronics, photonics, and biomedicine.

In this page, we will delve deeper into the synthesis process, characterization
techniques, and potential applications of carbon dots-based nanofluids using copper
acetate and ascorbic acid. By exploring the latest research findings and discussing key
findings in this rapidly evolving field, we aim to provide a comprehensive
understanding of this exciting area of nanotechnology

1.1 OBJECTIVES
This project aims to find the varies properties and characterization of Carbon dots
based Nano Fluid

1. The primary objective is to improve the thermal conductivity and specific heat
capacity of the base fluid by incorporating carbon dots. This enhancement can
lead to better heat transfer performance.
2. Preparation the Carbon dot based Nano Fluid using one step method in an
Economical Way.
3. The objective is to investigate the rheological behaviour of carbon dots-based
nanofluids, including viscosity changes at different temperatures and
concentrations.
4. Achieve stability and dispersibility to maintain a homogeneous suspension of
carbon dots in the nanofluid.

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1.2 LITERATURE REVIEW

The demand for sustainable and renewable energy sources has increased significantly
in recent years due to the depletion of fossil fuel resources and concerns over
environmental pollution. Solar energy, being a promising renewable energy option,
has garnered substantial attention for its potential to directly convert sunlight into
electricity or thermal energy. Solar thermal conversion, in particular, has shown great
promise as a viable technology for harnessing solar energy.

Conventional solar thermal conversion systems typically rely on surface absorption,

where an opaque material absorbs solar energy and converts it into thermal energy.
The absorber transfers this thermal energy to a working fluid through conduction and
convection. To improve the efficiency of these systems, extensive research has
focused on enhancing the solar absorptivity of the absorber surface. Various
techniques, such as the use of intrinsic absorbing coatings, fractal textured surface
coatings, multilayer interference coatings, and Cermet composite coatings, have been
explored to achieve higher photothermal conversion efficiency and lower emissivity.

While efforts to improve the optical efficiency of solar collectors have been
successful, the thermal efficiency of these systems has often been neglected. Heat
losses on the absorber surface significantly impact the overall efficiency of surface
absorption solar collectors. Consequently, there is a growing shift in the technology of
solar thermal conversion systems towards direct solar absorption, which has gained
prominence in recent years .

The transition from surface absorption to direct solar absorption focuses on addressing
the heat losses associated with surface absorption solar collectors. Carbon dots-based
nanofluids have emerged as a potential solution to enhance the thermal efficiency of
these systems. Carbon dots, synthesized using copper acetate and ascorbic acid, offer
unique properties that make them suitable for applications in solar thermal conversion
systems.

In the synthesis of carbon dots-based nanofluids, ascorbic acid serves as an eco-

friendly and low-cost carbon source, while copper acetate acts as a catalyst. The

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simple one-step synthesis method involves dissolving ascorbic acid in deionized (DI)
water and adjusting the pH using sodium hydroxide. Copper acetate is then added to
the solution, which is stirred at a specific temperature for a designated time period.
The resulting supernatant, containing the carbon dots dispersed in DI water, is
collected through vacuum filtration. The nanofluid concentration is increased by
evaporating excess water through boiling.

Characterization of the synthesized carbon dots-based nanofluid is crucial to

understanding its properties and potential applications. The nanofluid's solar
absorptivity is a critical parameter, and the synthesized carbon dots have demonstrated
a solar absorptivity of 92%. Additionally, the colloidal stability of the nanofluid is
maintained without compromising its optical efficiency. The enhanced collector
efficiency of the carbon dots-based nanofluid, compared to the base fluid, has been
observed, highlighting its potential as a working fluid for solar thermal systems .

Apart from the improved thermal performance, the carbon dots-based nanofluid
exhibits resistance to corrosion, making it suitable for long-term applications. The
quantified corrosion rate of the nanofluid is significantly lower than that of DI water.
Moreover, cost estimation analysis indicates that the nanofluid presents a competitive
advantage with lower production costs compared to the base fluid, further enhancing
its potential for commercial viability.

1.3 LITERATURE REVIEW OUTCOMES

In conclusion, the synthesis and characterization of carbon dots-based nanofluids

using copper acetate and ascorbic acid offer a promising solution to enhance the
thermal efficiency of solar thermal conversion systems. The incorporation of carbon
dots into the base fluid improves solar absorptivity, collector efficiency, and corrosion
resistance while maintaining colloidal stability. The cost-effectiveness of the
synthesized nanofluid makes it a prospective working fluid for solar thermal
applications. Continued research in this area will contribute to the development of
efficient and sustainable solar thermal systems for future energy needs

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TABLE 1.3

Sl NO Particulars Review Outcome Implemented

1. De-ionized water 1000 ml 500 ml
2. Ascorbic acid 1625 mg 812.5 mg
3. Copper acetate 625 mg 312.5 mg
4. Stirring Time 10 hrs 5 hrs

CHAPTER-2

MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Materials

The carbon source used in the synthesis is ascorbic acid (C6H8O6) obtained from
Himedia. Ascorbic acid is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective material.
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was utilized to regulate the pH of the solution, while
copper acetate (Cu(AC)2.H2O) acted as the catalyst. All chemicals, except for
ascorbic acid, were procured from Merck and employed without additional
purification.

2.2 Methods

Fig 2.2 (Synthesis procedure of C-dot nanofluid)

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2.21. Dissolving

During the dissolution, ascorbic acid molecules interact with

water molecules, forming hydrogen bonds and creating a
homogeneous mixture. The solubility of ascorbic acid in water
is relatively high, allowing for easy dissolution. As the
dissolution proceeds, the clear solution becomes apparent,
indicating the complete dissolution of ascorbic acid particles.

The clear solution obtained after dissolving ascorbic acid in

deionized water sets the foundation for the subsequent steps
Fig 2.21 (Dissolving)
involved in the synthesis and characterization of carbon dot-based
nanofluid. It ensures the availability of the necessary carbon component, which will
contribute to the formation of carbon dots with unique optical and thermal properties.

The next step involves adding copper acetate to the ascorbic acid
and water solution. Copper acetate acts as a catalyst, initiating a
chemical reaction between the copper ions and the carbon
source. This reaction leads to the formation and growth of
carbon dots within the solution.

Fig 2.21(a) (Dissolving)

2.22 Heating and Stirring.

The next step in the process involves heating and stirring the fluid at a maintained
temperature of 90°C and a stirring speed of 1000 rpm for a duration of 3.5 hours.
During this time, the color of the fluid undergoes distinct changes, providing visual
indications of the ongoing reaction.

Initially, after 10 minutes of stirring, the fluid turns dark orange, suggesting the
formation of intermediate products. As the reaction progresses, the color gradually

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shifts to transparent green after 60 minutes, indicating the evolution of the carbon
dots.

After 2 hours of stirring, the fluid adopts a light blue hue, which signifies the
continued growth and development of the carbon dots. At this stage, the carbon dots
are likely to exhibit unique optical and fluorescence properties.

After 3 hours of stirring, the fluid darkens to a dark brown color, indicating further
carbon dot formation and possibly an increase in their concentration within the
solution. Finally, at the end of 3.5 hours, the fluid turns black, suggesting the
completion of the synthesis process and the presence of well-formed carbon dots.

To maintain the desired pH value throughout the reaction, 4.5 grams of sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) are added. Sodium hydroxide acts as a pH controller, ensuring that
the pH remains at the desired level for optimal synthesis conditions. By carefully
adjusting the pH, the reaction can proceed efficiently, promoting the desired growth
and characteristics of the carbon dots.

Overall, this step involves carefully controlling temperature, stirring speed, and pH
while observing the distinct colour changes in the fluid, providing valuable insights
into the progression of the carbon dot synthesis.

10 min 60 min 2hrs 3 hrs

Fig 2.22 (Heating and stirring)

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2.3 FILTRATION

After the heating and stirring process, a reduced volume of 50

ml was obtained from the initial 500 ml. The fluid was then left
undisturbed for 4-5 hours to allow the larger particles to settle at
the bottom of the container. Subsequently, approximately 3/4 of
the settled fluid was carefully extracted, leaving some residual
fluid in the container.
To remove any remaining impurities and achieve a purified
solution, filtration was performed using a double-layered filter
paper with a pore size ranging from 10 to 100 nanometers. The
filter paper had an outer diameter of 125 mm. This filtration step
ensured the removal of any remaining larger particles or
unwanted contaminants from the fluid, resulting in a refined and
clarified nanofluid sample.
The use of a double-layered filter paper with precise pore size
specifications enabled efficient separation of particles, allowing Fig 2.3 (Filtration Setup)
for the collection of a purified nanofluid sample. This filtration
process plays a crucial role in obtaining a homogeneous and uniform nanofluid with
minimized particulate impurities, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of subsequent
characterization and analysis.

Fig 2.3 (a) (Filtering) Fig 2.3 (b) (Left Out)

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CHAPTER 3
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this study successfully demonstrated the synthesis and characterization
of carbon dot-based nanofluids using copper acetate and ascorbic acid. The utilization
of ascorbic acid as a carbon source and copper acetate as a catalyst facilitated the
formation and growth of carbon dots within the nanofluid. The heating and stirring
process at controlled parameters resulted in the observed colour changes, indicative of
the ongoing synthesis. The subsequent filtration step using a double-layered filter
paper effectively removed larger particles, yielding a purified nanofluid sample.
The developed carbon dot-based nanofluids hold great promise for various
applications, particularly in the field of solar thermal systems. The unique optical and
thermal properties of carbon dots offer the potential for enhanced solar absorptivity
and improved thermal efficiency. These nanofluids can play a crucial role in
increasing the efficiency of solar thermal collectors, ultimately contributing to the
development of sustainable energy solutions.
Further characterization and analysis are warranted to comprehensively explore the
optical, thermal, and stability properties of these carbon dot-based nanofluids.
Understanding their behaviour under different conditions and optimizing their
synthesis process will be vital for their successful implementation in practical
applications.
Overall, this research represents a significant step forward in the synthesis and
characterization of carbon dot-based nanofluids, providing valuable insights into their
potential for renewable energy technologies. Continued research and development in
this field have the potential to pave the way for more efficient and sustainable solar
thermal systems, contributing to the transition to a greener and more sustainable
future.

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REFERENCES
1. Albin Joseph, Shijo Thomas Energy, exergy and corrosion analysis of direct
absorption solar collector employed with ultra-high stable carbon quantum dot
nanofluid (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.09.079)
2. A. Singh, M. Kumar, V. Khullar, Comprehensive modeling, simulation and
analysis of nanoparticles laden volumetric absorption based concentrating solar
thermal systems in laminar flow regime, Sol. Energy 211 (January) (2020)
31e54, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.08.088.
3. M. Muraleedharan, H. Singh, S. Suresh, M. Udayakumar, Directly absorbing
Therminol-Al2O3 nano heat transfer fluid for linear solar concentrating
collectors, Sol. Energy 137 (2016) 134e142, https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.solener.2016.08.007.
4. H. Tyagi, P. Phelan, R. Prasher, Predicted efficiency of a nanofluid-based direct
absorption solar receiver, Proc. Energy Sustain. Conf. (2007) 729e736, https://
doi.org/10.1115/ES2007-36139, 2007.

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