Bio-nano emulsion fuel based on graphene quantum dot nanoparticles for reducing energy consumption and pollutants emission

Abstract In this research, for the first time a mixture of diesel-biodiesel-water-bionanoparticles was prepared to simultaneously optimize the fuel consumption, reduce pollutant emission, and enhance the performance of diesel engines. To this end, graphene quantum dots as biodegradable nanoparticles were synthesized through the hydrothermal method. In this respective, the synthesized quantum dot nanoparticles were added at the concentrations of 20, 60, and 100 ppm along with 1, 5, and 10 vol.% distilled water to the B15 fuel (the diesel fuel containing 15 vol.% biodiesel). The results obtained from the engine experiments exhibited that when water and quantum dots were added simultaneously to the B15 fuel, the engine power was increased and the brake specific fuel consumption was reduced. In addition, the emissions of pollutants including HC, NOx and soot were decreased. However, the soot emission was slightly increased by adding the nanoparticles. For the sample containing 5% water and 60 ppm graphene quantum dot nanoparticles, the engine power was improved by 13.6% and the brake specific fuel consumption was reduced by 7.8% compared to those of the B15 pure fuel. Furthermore, emissions of pollutants including NOx, HC, and soot were decreased by 3.8, 29.2, and 33.7 %, respectively, compared with the B15 pure fuel.