The dispersion and stability of nanofluids obtained by dispersing Al₂O₃ nanoparticles in ethylene glycol have been analyzed at several concentrations up to 25% in mass fraction. The thermal conductivity and viscosity were experimentally determined at temperatures ranging from 283.15 K to 323.15 K using an apparatus based on the hot-wire method and a rotational viscometer, respectively. It has been found that both thermal conductivity and viscosity increase with the concentration of nanoparticles, whereas when the temperature increases the viscosity diminishes and the thermal conductivity rises. Measured enhancements on thermal conductivity (up to 19%) compare well with literature values when available. New viscosity experimental data yield values more than twice larger than the base fluid. The influence of particle size on viscosity has been also studied, finding large differences that must be taken into account for any practical application. These experimental results were compared with some theoretical models, as those of Maxwell-Hamilton and Crosser for thermal conductivity and Krieger and Dougherty for viscosity.

Nanofluids are recent nanomaterials with improved thermophysical properties that could enhance the efficiency and reliability of heat transfer systems. Relevant properties for heat transfer calculation, thin film flows, droplet impingements or microfluidic are surface tension and wettability. However, to date, the understanding of those properties in nanofluids field is at the beginning compared to transport properties. At this stage, this review focus on the effect of nanoparticles and base fluid nature, temperature, use of surfactant, nanoparticle concentration, size and shape as well on the surface tension and wettability of nanofluids. After the presentation of heat transfer processes involving the influence of surface tension and wettability, this paper is organized according to the nature of the nanoparticles dealing with oxide, carbon-based and metallic nanofluids as well as unusual or less considered nature of nanoparticles. The factors affecting the surface tension of nanofluids are relatively well identified, but concentration and surfactant effects present some inconsistent outcomes. In any case, the dispersion of nanoparticles have an effect on the surface tension of base fluid significantly lower than that on transport properties. Based on results available in the literature and existing empirical correlations, a comprehensive assessment, challenges and future works are suggested.

Homogeneous stable suspensions obtained by dispersing dry TiO₂ nanoparticles in pure ethylene glycol were prepared and studied. Two types of nanocrystalline structure were analyzed, namely anatase and rutile phases, which have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The rheological behavior was determined for both nanofluids at nanoparticle mass concentrations up to 25%, including flow curves and frequency-dependent storage and loss moduli, using a cone-plate rotational rheometer. The effect of temperature over these flow curve tests at the highest concentration was also analyzed from 283.15 to 323.15 K. Furthermore, the influence of temperature, pressure, nanocrystalline structure, and concentration on the volumetric properties, including densities and isobaric thermal expansivities, were also analyzed.