Experimental investigation on copper oxide nanoparticles dispersed Azadirachta indica oil biodiesel: Stability and physicochemical properties approach

Abstract

The current investigation deals with the assessment of stability and physicochemical properties of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles dispersed Azadirachta indica oil-biodiesel blend (B20). CuO nanoparticles were prepared at 75 ppm and dispersants were added at the same ratio as CuO nanoparticles. TRITONX, QPAN80 and TWEEN 80 were used as dispersants. An ultrasonic bath sonicator was used to sonicate the nanoparticles and later the ultrasonic sonicator was used to prepare the nanofuel. Also, the UV photo spectrometer was used for stability analysis in terms of absorption and transmission. The stability analysis was carried out for the duration of three weeks. The stability of CuO nanoparticles was increased in B20 when the dispersants were added compared to the base nanoparticles. However, higher absorption and lower permeability were observed in the QPAN-added nanofuels than in the other samples. In addition, the stability of all the nanofuel samples slightly decreased at the end of week 3. The higher absorbance and lower transmittance of B20+CuO75+Tw75 were 4.08 and 86.09% in week 1, 4.06 and 88.03% in week 2, and 4.04 and 92.03% in week 3, respectively. Moreover, the physicochemical properties such as cetane number and heating value of nanoparticle-added B20 is improved.