Experiments on the Electrical Conductivity of PEG 400 Nanocolloids Enhanced with Two Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

This paper aims to provide some insights into the pH and electrical conductivity of two classes of nanocolloids with PEG 400 as the base fluid. Thus, nanoparticles of two oxides—MgO and TiO2—were added to the base fluid in 5 mass concentrations in the range 0.25–2.5 %wt. The stability was evaluated in terms of pH at ambient temperature, while the electrical conductivity was discussed at both ambient temperature and up to 333.15 K. The electrical conductivity of PEG 400 was previously discussed by this group, while the behavior of the new nanocolloids was debated in terms of the state of the art. More precisely, the influence of MgO increases electrical conductivity, and an enhancement of up to 48% for 0.25% MgO was found, while the influence of TiO2 nanoparticles was found to be in similar ranges. In conclusion, electrical conductivity varies with temperature and the addition of nanoparticles to the base fluid, although the mechanisms that are driving the nanoparticle type and concentration influence are not yet entirely assumed in the available literature.

Keywords

• PEG 400
• MgO
• TiO₂
• electric conductivity
• nanocolloids