Interface chemistry effects in nanofluids: Experimental and computational study of oil-based nanofluids with gold nanoplates

•Stable heat-transfer nanofluids are prepared by dispersing Au nanoplates into a synthetic aromatic fluid.•Thermal conductivity and specific heat at 373 K are enhanced by 24.9% and 6.1%, for a 0.048 wt% content in Au.•Comparison with previous results reveals enhancements in these properties are interface chemistry-dependent.•The stronger the interactions at the interfaces, the higher the specific heat enhancement.•The stronger the interactions at the interfaces, the lower the thermal conductivity enhancement.