Comparative Analysis of Zinc Oxide and Copper Hybrid Nanofluids on Viscosity and Thermal Conductivity in Automotive Applications

Nanofluids have emerged as effective alternatives to traditional coolants for enhancing thermal performance in automotive applications. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the viscosity and thermal conductivity of ZnO and Cu hybrid nanofluids. Nanofluids were prepared with ZnO and Cu nanoparticle concentrations of 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% by volume and were characterized over temperatures ranging from 25°C to 100°C. The results demonstrate that ZnO and Cu hybrid nanofluids achieve an increase in thermal conductivity by up to 22% and 28%, respectively, compared to the base fluid. Concurrently, the viscosity of these nanofluids increases by up to 12% at the highest concentration and temperature. This study addresses a critical research gap by investigating the combined effects of ZnO and Cu nanoparticles in hybrid nanofluids, an area that has been underexplored. By providing new insights into optimizing both thermal conductivity and viscosity, this research contributes to the development of more efficient cooling systems for automotive applications.