Nano Liquid Metal Fluids

Liquids are pervasive in both natural and industrial settings, with water, oil, and ionic liquids being prominent examples. While traditional liquids exhibit singular properties, liquid metals, primarily Ga-based liquid metals, distinguish themselves by combining fluidity with metallic traits. With exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity, low toxicity, and excellent fluidity, liquid metals hold promises for applications spanning diverse fields. To further enhance the properties of liquid metals or compensate for their deficiencies, the concept of nano liquid metal fluids has emerged and garnered widespread attention. This review surveys recent progress in nano liquid metal fluids, highlighting their unique properties and diverse applications. By combining liquid metals with nanoparticles, nano liquid metal fluids offer enhanced conductivity, higher thermal properties, additional magnetic properties, improved catalytic properties, and lubrication capabilities. In the process of introducing applications as the main theme, this chapter will also discuss the preparation methods and characteristics of each type of nano liquid metal fluids used in different applications. Finally, to guide further development in this direction, challenges and future prospect for nano liquid metal fluids are listed.