Page 5 - KVIS Book

ENG01I

Organic reducing agents from fruit peel extracts for green

synthesis of copper nanoparticles in nanocoolant application

Chayanan Chiangchaisakunthai, Sorn Buraphanawibun, Peerada Akaravinek
Kamnoetvidya Science Academy, Thailand
Supervisor: Panuphong Pootawang, Sarun Nounjeen
Email: chayanan_c@kvis.ac.th

As engines of all vehicles have been developed to work at higher speed, they produce
high amount of heat, which affects badly the efficiency of the engines. Thus, in this
project, cooling system of the engines was improved by adding copper nanoparticles to
its coolant. The copper nanoparticles were synthesized with the use of mangosteen
and banana peel extracts as reducing agents. The extract was then proved to be an
organic substance which had an ability to reduce cooper (II) ion. Copper (II) sulfate
solution, ascorbic acid, and PEG-PPG-PEG were also added to the synthesis processes
as a copper source, an oxygen scavenger, and a dispersing agent. As a result, the
synthesized copper nanoparticles were well-dispersed in media with the size of 292
and 215 nm diameter for banana and mangosteen peel extracts respectively, and had
percentage of copper as high as 71.154% by weight. Testing practically with an engine
model, the nanocoolant exhibited its high ability to exchange heat with the engine up
to 280% compared with water. The nanocoolant synthesized from the used of peel
extracts is worth using and producing because of its low cost, but high efficiency. Plus,
using it can help reducing an amount and increase the value of trash in our local
community.

Keywords: nanocoolant, nanoparticles, engines’ efficiency, fruit peels, copper,
thermal conductivity