Experimental investigation was carried out to study the burning characteristics, engine performance and emission parameters of a single-cylinder Compression Ignition (CI) engine using nanofuels which were formulated by sonicating nanoparticles of aluminum (A(1)), iron (F-1) and boron (B-1) in base diesel. These fuels showed reduced ignition delay, longer flame sustenance and agglomerate ignition. Study of engine performance at higher loads revealed drop in peak cylinder pressures and reduction of 7% in specific fuel consumption for A(1) as compared to diesel. Improved combustion rates raised exhaust gas temperatures by 8%, 7% and 5% leading to increased brake thermal efficiencies by 9%, 4%, and 2% for A(1), F-1, and B-1 respectively, as compared to diesel at maximum loading conditions. Volumetric reduction of 25-40% in CO emission, 8% and 4% in hydrocarbon emission was measured when the engine was fueled with A(1) and F-1 respectively as compared to emissions from diesel. However, elevated temperatures resulted into marginal rise in NOx emission. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.