Experimental Investigation into Stability, Heat Transfer, and Flow Characteristics of TiO2-SiO2 Hybrid Nanofluids Under Multiple Influencing Factors

Extensive research and empirical evidence demonstrate that nanofluids enhance heat transfer efficiency in microchannels, but this improvement is often accompanied by increased pressure drop and particle clogging. This study aims to determine the optimal parameters for preparing stable nanofluids and to discuss the effects of different parameters on thermal and hydraulic performance. By analyzing the impact of varying ultrasonication time, particle concentration, particle size, surfactant type, and mixing ratios on stability, the most stable nanofluid was selected for evaluation of flow heat transfer and cost-effectiveness. Results indicate that a 1:1 mixed nanofluid of TiO2 (20 nm)-SiO2 (50 nm) exhibits optimal stability under conditions of 90 min ultrasonication, 0.20 vol% total particle concentration, and 0.15 wt% xanthan gum. At a Reynolds number of 550, this mixed nanofluid exhibits superior thermal performance. Compared with deionized water, its convective heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number increase by 40.25% and 37.94%, respectively, while the pressure drop rises by only 17.18%. The performance evaluation criterion reaches 1.43, accompanied by a high cost–performance factor. These findings demonstrate that mixing large and small particles of TiO2 and SiO2 not only significantly enhances thermal performance but also positively impacts stability and hydraulic properties. A 90 min ultrasonic treatment time markedly improves stability and optimizes dynamic light scattering results.