Continuous Synthesis of Surface-Modified Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Supercritical Methanol for Highly Stabilized Nanofluids

A study was conducted to demonstrate the synthesis of surface-modified metal oxide nanoparticles by using supercritical methanol (scMeOH) for preparation of highly dispersable nanofluids. The study used scMEOH to provide a reaction medium for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The study successfully prepared surface-modified ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles by the reaction of ceria(III) nitrate and decanoic acid in methanol to a continuous flow reactor systems. It was observed during the study that ceria(III) nitrate was soluble in methanol at the feed concentration. Supercritical water and supercritical methanol were used in the study to synthesize the ceria nanoparticles. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) analysis was used to investigate surface characteristics of the ceria nanoparticles.