Thermo-physical properties of Cu-Zn-Al LDH nanofluid and its application in spray cooling

•Cu-Zn-Al LDH nanofluid was prepared and used for metal quenching.•Nanoparticles are rod shaped having an average particle size of 49 nm.•13.9% enhancement in thermal conductivity was achieved at 160 ppm loading.•Nanofluid was used for spray cooling of hot steel plate (above 900 °C).•Maximum cooling rate of 158.4 °C/s was also achieved at 160 ppm concentration.