The nano-dispersion formed by the hydrophobic nanoparticles dispersed in the organic system has unique physical and chemical properties and important application value. Currently

there is limited controllability in particle dispersion into organic phase during preparation. The agglomeration of nanoparticles

which results in not only particle sedimentation and loss but also decrease in the performance of nanodispersions

often occurs in their preparation

surface modification

and final application processes. In this study

two types of CuO nanodispersions

CuO-base oil nanofluids and CuO-based precursors for composite films

are adopted as the typical systems. A method for the preparation of high-concentration CuO-based nanodispersions by in situ dispersion of surface-modified CuO nanoparticles into the oil phase has been developed

while a plate-type microchannel was constructed to initiate microdroplet coalescence for the enhancement of particle dispersion. For the case of CuO-base oil nanofluids

the nanofluids with a high particle concentration of 2% (vol) and an average CuO particle size of approximately 30 nm could be controllably prepared. The viscosity

thermal conductivity

and stability of the nanofluids have been measured. A thermal conductivity of 0.184 W·m-1·K-1 was obtained for the 2% (vol) nanofluid along with an excellent stability. For the case of CuO-based precursors

the CuO-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite films prepared have exhibited remarkable antibacterial properties with a highly stable composite layer of CuO nanoparticles. On the basis of the systematic experimental study

the important role of in situ dispersion method in enhancing the efficient dispersion of surface-modified particles was proved. The effect of nanoparticle properties and dispersion behaviors on the performance of the dispersed particles have also been experimentally determined.