Dispersion Stability of Fluorinated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in FC-27 Refrigerant

In order to achieve the dispersion stability of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in a fluorinated refrigerant (FC-72) used in various cooling purposes, fluorinated MWCNT (MWCNT-F) was prepared by a combined process of oxidation and fluorination. As a fluorine source, (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)trichlorosilane was used to react with hydroxyl groups on MWCNT (MWCNT-OH) generated by chemical oxidation. Pristine MWCNT, MWCNT-OH, and MWCNT-F were dispersed in FC-72 and MWCNT-F was also dispersed in polar and nonpolar solvents. The MWCNT-F has excellent colloidal stability in FC-72 because of the chemical affinity between FC-72 and functional groups (-CF_n) on the side walls of MWCNT. Through surface modifications, we could obtain the enhanced dispersion stability of MWCNT in a refrigerant. This homogenous MWCNT solution in FC-72 may be used to increase the heat transfer in FC-72 based nanofluids.