Heat Transfer Across Nanoparticle–Liquid Interfaces

Abstract

A better understanding of submicronscale heat transfer is rapidly gaining interest due to the complex phenomena involved in nanometer scales. We discuss the role of interfacial resistance, in particular that of curvature effects, and the possibility of achieving high temperatures inside the particles without creating a phase transition in the surrounding fluid. The heat transfer from a heated nanoparticle into surrounding fluid is studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results show that the particle size and wetting strength between the nanoparticle–liquid influence the heat transfer characteristics. The interfacial conductance and Kapitza length for a model solid–liquid interface were calculated. Both quantities are found to be strongly dependent on particle size and temperature. Smaller nanoparticles are observed to have a stronger bonding with the interfacial fluid when the temperature of the particle is higher, while larger nanoparticles have better affinity with the liquid at lower temperatures.