Indagation in the sphere of nanoparticle utilisation has provided commendatory upshots in discrete areas of application varying from medicinal use to environmental degradation alleviation. This study incorporates alumina nanoparticles as additives to diesel and biodiesel blends. The prime objective of the present study was the scrutinisation of the denouement of Al₂O₃ nanoparticle incorporation in diesel–biodiesel blends on a diesel engine’s performance and emission characteristics. Test fuel samples were prepared by blending different proportions of biodiesel and dispersing two concentrations of alumina nanoparticles (25 and 50 ppm) in the diesel. Dispersion was made without the use of a nanoparticle stabiliser to meet real-world feasibility. High-speed shearing was employed to blend the biodiesel and diesel, while nanoparticles were dispersed in the blends by ultrasonication. The blends so devised were tested using a single-cylinder diesel engine at fixed RPM and applied load for three compression ratios. Upshots of brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and brake thermal efficiency (BTE) for fuel samples were measured with LabView-based software, whereas CO emissions and unburnt hydrocarbon (UBHC) emissions were computed using an external gas analyser attached to the exhaust vent of the engine. Investigation revealed that the inclusion of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles culminates in the amelioration of engine performance along with the alleviation of deleterious exhaust from engine. Furthermore, the incorporation of alumina nanoparticles assisted in the amelioration of dwindled performance attributed to biodiesel blending. More favourable results of nanoparticle inclusion were obtained at higher compression ratios compared to lower ones. Reckoning evinced that the Al₂O₃ nanoparticle is a lucrative introduction for fuels to boost the performance and dwindle the deleterious exhaust of diesel engines.

Epoxy alumina composite was fabricated by instant cross-linking process containing 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt.% of alumina reinforcement. Ultrasonication process is used to disperse alumina nanoparticles in epoxy. To study effect of particle morphology two types of alumina nanoparticle’s were used, one was of rod shape whose diameter varies from 5–10 nm and length not more than 50 nm. Whereas other type of particle used was spherical in shape with diameter varying from 27-43 nm. Reinforcement of alumina nano particles enhances the micro hardness of epoxy composite. There is no significant effect of reinforcement on water absorption behavior of epoxy composite. Friction and dry sliding wear behavior was experimentally evaluated by pin on disc setup. Infusion of alumina nanoparticles improves friction and wear behavior of epoxy composite. Reduction of 34% in friction coefficient (CoF) was recorded at 1.5 wt.% of spherical alumina particles. Wear rate also decreases with by 74% at 1.0 wt.% inclusion of spherical nano particles. Calculated energy dissipation was in good correlation with wear rate, thus a good method to predict the wear characteristics of epoxy composite. Stable development of tribo-film and surface smoothening are the major phenomena in improvement of tribological behavior of epoxy composite.

Epoxy alumina polymer nanocomposites were synthesized by in-situ polymerization technique. Dispersion of rod shaped alumina nanoparticles, having a length less than 50nm and diameter in the range of 10nm, in the epoxy matrix was achieved using ultrasonication. Nanocomposites having 0.5, 1 and 1.5wt % of alumina nanoparticles were prepared. Good dispersion of alumina nanoparticles in epoxy matrix was observed through transmission electron micrographs of the nanocomposites. Tensile properties and the fatigue life of the nanocomposites were determined. Elastic modulus and tensile strength of the nanocomposites increased up to 1% weight fraction of alumina particles over that of neat epoxy and slight reduction in the elastic modulus and tensile strength of the nanocomposites was observed on further addition of alumina nanoparticles. Fatigue life of nanocomposites was investigated for constant amplitude tensile fatigue load (R=0.1). It was observed that the addition of alumina nanoparticles provides good improvement in fatigue life of epoxy. An increment of three to four times in the fatigue life of nanocomposites having 1.5% alumina particles was observed over that of neat polymer at low stress levels. Whereas increment in fatigue life of nanocomposites decreased at higher stress level (at stress level of 0.5 times that of tensile strength of neat epoxy). Fracture surfaces of specimens in fatigue were examined with the help of scanning electron microscope in order to investigate mechanisms responsible for the increase in fatigue life. Roughness of fractured surfaces of nanocomposites were more in comparison to that of neat epoxy showing consumption of higher energy for fatigue failure causing an increment in the fatigue life of nanocomposites

Polymer nanocomposites (PNC) were prepared by in-situ polymerization technique. Rod shape alumina nanoparticles of two different sizes; i) having an average diameter in the range of 10 nm and length less than 50 nm and ii) having diameter in the range of 20-40 nm and length in the range of 200-400 nm; were selected as reinforcement material for epoxy matrix. PNCs having 0.5 %, 1 %, and 1.5 % weight fraction of alumina nanorods were prepared. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) of the nanocomposites showed good dispersion of alumina nanoparticles in the epoxy. The quasi static plane strain fracture toughness of the PNCs was determined. Addition of both the types of alumina nanoparticles gives good improvement in the facture toughness of epoxy. An increment of 34% in fracture toughness was observed for composites having smaller size alumina nanorods at 1.5 wt.% over that of neat epoxy whereas fracture toughness was improved by 56 % for composites having alumina nanorods of higher aspect ratio at the same weight fraction. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images of the fracture surfaces were analyzed to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the increase in the fracture toughness of the PNCs.