Molecular dynamics simulation on flow behaviors of nanofluids confined in nanochannel

Abstract

Nanofluids are new heat transfer liquids with remarkable heat transfer capability prepared by suspending nanoparticles in traditional heat transfer liquids (water, ethylene glycol and engine oil). The key reason for the enhanced heat transfer properties of nanofluids is not only their increased thermal conductivity but also the changed rheological behavior of base fluid due to the adding of nanoparticles. However, currently the investigation into influence of shear velocity on flow behaviors of nanofluids is still inadequate. In this paper molecular dynamics simulations are used to simulate flow behaviors of nanofluids confined in nanochannel under different shear velocities. Rotation and translation of nanoparticles and nonlinear velocity profiles of nanofluids are observed. The degree of nonlinearity, as well as the rotation and translation of nanoparticles, are enhanced with the shear velocity increasing. The existence of “solid-like” absorbed layers near the plates and around the nanoparticles is also demonstrated.

Keywords

• Nanofluids
• Flow behaviors
• Molecular dynamics simulation
• Shear flow