Influence of Carbon Quantum Dots Modified Silica Nanoparticles on Insulation Properties of Mineral Oil

The work disclose about improving the dielectric insulation properties of mineral oil by the addition of a new type of nanoparticle prepared by the surface modification of SiO2 nanoparticles with Carbon Quantum Dots (CQD). The nanofluid with concentration 0.01%wt of mineral oil is prepared in the laboratory. The insulation properties were tested by conducting breakdown voltage test, the dielectric nature of the nanofluid is tested by analyzing the tan delta and volume resistivity and the thermal characteristics were studied by testing the flash point, fire point and viscosity, all the tests were done under IEC standards. The results obtained for the nanofluid is compared with commercially available mineral oil which is used for the preparation of nanofluids in this study. The CQD nanofluid results showed more than 60% improvement in breakdown voltage and improvement up to 10 degree higher value for flashes and fire point. Even the dielectric properties like tan delta and volume resistivity were found to be well improved when compared with the virgin mineral oil.