Effects of nanoparticles on nanofluid droplet evaporation

Laponite, Fe(2)O(3) and Ag nanoparticles were added to deionized water to study their effect of evaporation rates. The results show that these nanofluid droplets evaporate at different rates (as indicated by the evaporation rate constant K in the well known D(2)-law) from the base fluid. Different particles lead to different values of K. As the particle concentration increases due to evaporation. K values of various Ag and Fe(2)O(3) nanofluids go through a transition from one value to another, further demonstrating the effect of increasing nanoparticle concentration. The implication for the heat of vaporization (h(fg)) is discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.