• Research trends in nanofluid-based PTSC are analyzed. • Bibliometric mapping is used to evaluate publication and keyword trends. • The study analyses Scopus-indexed NPTSC publications over 25 years. • Engineering implications and research priorities for NPTSCs are discussed. Bibliometric analysis is an effective technique for assessing research trends, recognizing significant works, and delineating the intellectual framework of the discipline. This paper examines the advancements in Parabolic Trough Solar Collector (PTSC) technology augmented with nanofluid as a heat transfer fluid over the last twenty-five years. Solar energy, an essential renewable resource, possesses significant potential to reduce the environmental effects of fossil fuel-based energy systems. The database utilized in this study is sourced from “Scopus” using the keywords “Parabolic Trough Solar Collector,” “Nanofluid,” “Heat Transfer,” and “Energy”; the analysis is performed in VOSviewer. The data reveals an increasing acknowledgment of nanofluids in improving PTSC efficiency, alongside a burgeoning interest in hybrid nanofluids (HNFs). Bibliometric mapping elucidates significant publications, collaborative networks, and knowledge deficiencies in relation to Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7). The present analysis shows that India ranked first by publishing 196 articles related to nanofluid-based PTSC (NPTSC) in 2024, reflecting a strong academic focus on enhancing solar thermal efficiency to address rising regional energy demand and cost-effective renewable deployment. The journal “Applied Energy” has the most citations related to NPTSC articles. With the highest h-index of 464, “Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews” demonstrates its illustrious standing and long-lasting influence in the field of renewable energy research.
Upreti et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
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