Evaporation and micro-explosion performances of nano-fuel droplets

•Nano-fuel evaporation was suppressed at 400 °C but promoted at 700 °C.•Nano-fuel evaporation deviated the D2-law at 700 °C owing to micro-explosion.•Nano-fuel evaporation was greatly affected by nanoparticles’ concentration and size.•Micro-explosion was strengthened by nanoparticles in fuel.•On a whole, CNT nano-fuel evaporated faster than CeO2 nano-fuel.