Stabilizing Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoparticles in Heat Transfer Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

The poor stability of dispersed hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles in heat transfer fluids limits their application, as they are not suitable for high-temperature conditions encountered in many heat transfer applications.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a triblock copolymer with a central hydrophobic block of polypropylene glycol surrounded by hydrophilic blocks of polyethylene glycol into a continuous phase containing hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles, which stabilizes the dispersion at both room temperature and elevated temperatures, enhancing the thermal conductivity and stability of the composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles are dispersed in heat transfer fluids to increase thermal conductivity, then thermal conductivity is improved, but stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoiddispersion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A triblock copolymer with a central hydrophobic block of polypropylene glycol surrounded by hydrophilic blocks of polyethylene glycol is introduced as an intermediary substance. This copolymer acts as a stabilizing agent that mediates between the hydrophobic nanoparticles and the hydrophilic continuous phase, enabling stable dispersion of hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles in water-based heat transfer fluids at both room temperature and elevated temperatures up to 85°C

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite nanofluid system combining hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles, water-based continuous phase, and triblock copolymer stabilizer. This composite material achieves both high thermal conductivity (due to the thermally conductive nanoparticles) and stability (due to the copolymer stabilization), resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The stabilized composition maintains stability for extended periods, including 12 hours at room temperature and up to 85°C, making it suitable for use as a high-performance heat transfer fluid with improved thermal conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

a compound having a formula (I) or a salt thereof, wherein n is an integer between 50 and 200 and y is an integer between 20 and 200

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles dispersed in the continuous phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3221260B1Stabilization of hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles

Publication Date: 2021.01.06 ARTECO NV

AI summary

A composition includes a continuous phase of water, alcohol, or a mixture of water and alcohol; hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles dispersed in the continuous phase; and a compound having a : formula (I) or a salt thereof, wherein n is an integer between 50 and 200 and y is an integer between 20 and 200.