A novel fuel based on biocompatible nanoparticles and ethanol-biodiesel blends to improve diesel engines performance and reduce exhaust emissions

Abstract Biodiesel fuel is one of the most important alternative sources that can replace fossil fuels. Biodiesel has many advantages such as high stability, non-toxicity, renewability, high flash point and excellent performance. However, it has disadvantages such as increased NOx emissions, oxidation in air, and incomplete combustion. One of the ways to reduce the negative effects of biodiesel fuel is to use additives such as nanoparticles and catalysts. However, the use of metal oxide and metal nanoparticles poses many environmental hazards. Graphene Quantum Dot (GQD) is one of the newest types of quantum dots that have extraordinary features such as biocompatibility, high thermal conductivity, excellent solubility, low production cost and non-toxicity. Given the potential toxicity of metallic nanoparticles to living organisms, biological nanoparticles such as GQD can be used to solve this problem. In the present study, the performance parameters and emissions of a diesel engine by adding GQD to bioethanol (with 2, 4 and 6%, vol) and biodiesel fuel (B10) at different engine speeds (1800, 2100 and 2400 rpm) was evaluated. The results showed that B10 + E4 + GQD60 was selected as the optimum fuel at all engine speeds since it increased engine power and torque and reduced CO and UHC emissions. In comparison with the pure diesel fuel (D100), the optimal fuel (B10 + E4 + GQD60) increased the engine power and torque for 24.59% and 20.02%. The optimum fuel also decreased CO and UHC emissions by 35.60% and 42.05% compared to the pure diesel fuel (D100).