Magnetic field induced enhancement in thermal conductivity of magnetite nanofluid

Magnetite nanofluid is synthesized using continuous chemical process. Powder x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy show single phase spinel structure with size of 9.83 and 9.9 nm, respectively. Thermal conductivity of magnetite nanofluid has been studied as a function of transverse magnetic field and temperature. We found almost 30% enhancements in thermal conductivity for 4.7% volume fraction under transverse magnetic field. This result is explained on the basis of formation of continuous three-dimensional zipperlike structure of magnetic nanoparticles inside magnetic fluid. The temperature dependent thermal conductivity shows no enhancement in the temperature region of 25-65 °C. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.