Use of amorphous carbon-encapsulated copper nanoparticles in thermal conducting fluids

Carbon-encapsulated copper nanoparticles (CCNPs) were synthesized by a carbon arc discharge of a copper and carbon mixture and their oxidation resistance in oxygen, dispersion in water and thermal conductivity as fluids were investigated. Results indicated that amorphous carbon made the nanocopper particles more resistive to oxidation. The carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in the outer sphere of the carbon-encapsulated copper improve the dispersion of CCNPs in water after a chemical treatment with H₂O₂. The smaller the CCNP particle size, the better the thermal conductivity of the fluid.