A decade of nanofluid research in chemistry: A bibliometric mapping of trends, themes, and scientific impact

Nanofluid research has expanded rapidly over the past decade, driven by advances in nanoparticle synthesis, interfacial chemistry, and functional fluid design. This study presents a systematic bibliometric analysis of chemistry-oriented nanofluid research to examine publication trends, intellectual structures, and thematic evolution. Scopus-indexed documents published between 2015 and 2024 were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer to identify influential publications, collaboration patterns, and research themes. The results show a shift from early thermophysical optimization toward a chemistry-driven framework emphasizing synthesis routes, stability control, surface functionalization, and molecular-level modeling. Keyword analysis identifies four dominant themes: synthesis and stability, thermophysical chemistry, computational modeling, and hybrid nanofluids. Despite progress, gaps remain in long-term stability, environmental compatibility, and standardized characterization. This study provides a concise chemical perspective and outlines strategic directions for advancing chemically engineered nanofluids.