Enhancing the ignition and combustion characteristics of aluminum-based nanofluid fuels via graphene oxide

Nanofluid fuels promise to improve energy density and combustion efficiency, but are still limited by incomplete energy release and post-combustion aggregation of nanoparticles in conventional aluminum additives. This study examines the impact of graphene oxide (GO) content in kerosene/n-Al/GO nanofluid fuels on the ignition and combustion characteristics of droplets. Thermal analysis of the nano-additive showed that GO promotes the reaction of aluminum near 460 °C and reduces its reaction temperature. Laser ignition experiments demonstrate that GO promotes the combustion of aluminum. Ignition and combustion experiments were conducted in an air atmosphere by adding n-Al/GO to kerosene. The results indicate that the fuel with n-Al/GO (20%) exhibits the shortest ignition time (0.113s) and the highest combustion rate (0.4411 mm2/s). The morphology of the combustion products is significantly influenced by the GO content. At a GO content of 20%, the finer combustion residues indicate a higher efficiency of combustion. The mechanisms by which GO regulates fuel combustion are proposed from four aspects: enhancing thermal conductivity and radiation absorption, puffing from GO decomposition, adding reaction sites, and catalyzing aluminum oxidation. Collectively, these results indicate that kerosene/n-Al/GO (20%) exhibits excellent ignition and combustion properties, providing new opportunities for the development of high-energy nanofluid fuels.