Mechanically exfoliated graphene nanofluid using dual surfactant for electronic chip cooling application

Graphene nanofluid synthesis is the main aim of this study by using two surfactants, Tween 80 and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), for electronic chip cooling application. The mechanical exfoliation method was used to synthesize the graphene nanofluid from graphite with the aid of a kitchen blender. Graphite, Tween 80 concentration, and mixing time were optimized by the Taguchi method. Graphite concentration proved to be the most prominent parameter leading to graphene exfoliation as per signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio analysis. The optimized parameters were 10 g of graphite, 3 mg/ml of Tween 80, and 60 min of blending. Furthermore, the addition of 3 mg/ml of PVP in kitchen-blended graphene nanofluid using Tween 80 shows the increase in the stability of graphene nanofluid. The graphene nanofluid obtained using PVP and Tween 80 has few layers. The heat transfer coefficient (HTC) of graphene nanofluid obtained using PVP and Tween 80 is 72.4% higher than base fluid deionized water and 64.3% more than the graphene nanofluid containing Tween 80 at a flow rate of 1.5 L/min. Additionally, pumping power required is lower for graphene nanofluid obtained using PVP and Tween 80 at a flow rate of 1.5 L/min as compared to base fluid.