Effects of metal-organic framework nanoparticles on the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of a diesel engine

This study was set to use metal-organic framework nanoparticles in diesel fuel formulation for the first time. Zeolitic imidazolate framework nanoparticles were synthesized using a green technique at room temperature, characterized using various characterization techniques, and used in a diesel-water emulsion fuel at two different concentrations (15 and 30 ppm). The prepared fuel blends were tested in a diesel engine at various loads (25–100% of full-load operation). The effects of fuel composition and engine load were assessed on the behavior of the engine. The combustion and performance parameters of nano-emulsion fuel blends were analogous to those observed for diesel. Nano-emulsion fuels resulted in significantly lower nitrogen oxide emissions than diesel at engine loads up to 75% of full-load operation. Nano-emulsion fuels also markedly outperformed diesel in terms of smoke emission at full-load operation. More specifically, nano-emulsion fuels could result in a significantly lower nitrogen oxide than diesel fuel, with an average reduction of about 15%. These findings were achieved with a slight penalty on the unburned hydrocarbon emissions. The encouraging results obtained in the current preliminary study can serve as an invaluable starting point for future studies to attain a more environmentally friendly diesel combustion process using MOF nanoparticles.