In this study, we use Maxwell's homogenization method followed by mesoscopic analysis to study heat transfer in nanofluids. It is explored how microconvection resulting from the Brownian motion of nanoparticles and the nanolayer formation around nanoparticles are impacting the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids. The heat transfer within the nanolayer is addressed by direct solution of the Boltzmann transport equation. The results obtained from experimental observations agree with model predictions. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.