Investigation Of The Laser Flash Analysis Method To Measure The Thermal Diffusivity Of Nanoscale Ionic Materials

Nanoscale ionic materials (NIMS) are a hybrid organic-inorganic liquid-like material consisting of a hard inorganic nanocore and an organic canopy. The high nanoparticle content, zero vapor pressure and inexpensive mass production capabilities give NIMS the ability to develop into sustainable metamaterials that outperform traditional nanofluids in cost and efficiency. Current heat transfer materials are limited by nanoparticle saturation. NIMS, with their superior nanoparticle concentration and stability, may be a more effective and environmentally friendly substitution for these products. Investigation of this requires a reliable method of determining the thermal diffusivity of NIMS. The laser flash analysis (LFA) method of experimentally determining the thermal properties of nanofluids was applied to NIMS of varying compositions at room temperature. Despite promising preliminary results, LFA is not yet a reliable method of characterizing the thermal properties of NIMS. In spite of obstacles in experimental measurement, LFA still appears to be the most viable method for thermal measurement of NIMS. Further improvements to experimental techniques may lead to standardization of thermal diffusivity of NIMS