Dispersion stability analysis of α-Fe₂O₃-water-based nanofluid

Experimental and theoretical studies were performed for the stability of nanofluid produced by dispersion of α-Fe₂O₃ in water. Two kinds of dispersants based on different dispersion mechanism were selected, namely Ammonium citrate (AC) and Gum arabic (GA). The nanofluid was prepared by two-step method. The stability of nanofluid was then investigated by Sediment photograph capturing, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Dynamic light scattering and Zeta potential test. The results were analyzed by colloid theory to research the characteristic and mechanism of different dispersion system. Finally, a theoretical evaluation system was proposed to analyze the dispersion stability of metal nanofluid.