Effect of Nanoparticle Suspensions on Liquid Fuel Hot-Plate Ignition

Abstract

Increased ignition probabilities of ethanol are found on a heated hot-plate with the introduction of Al2O3, Fe3O4, and carbon nanotube (CNT) nanoparticle suspensions. We show that the mechanism is probably due to liquid fuel boiling point elevation caused by nanoparticle accumulation at liquid–vapor interfaces. The magnitudes of this impact are related to the number and geometry of nanoparticles but independent from the nanoparticle chemical compositions. These findings may have important applications for developing future alternative liquid fuels with advanced combustion characteristics.