Unsteady magnetohydrodynamic radiative liquid thin film flow of hybrid nanofluid with thermophoresis and Brownian motion

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze heat and mass transport mechanism of unsteady MHD thin film flow of aluminium–copper/water hybrid nanofluid influenced by thermophoresis, Brownian motion and radiation. Design/methodology/approach: The authors initially altered the time dependent set of mathematical equations into dimensionless form of equations by using apposite transmutations. These equations are further solved numerically by deploying Runge–Kutta method along with shooting technique. Findings: Plots and tables for skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, Sherwood number along with velocity, temperature and concentration profiles against pertinent non-dimensional parameters are revealed. The study imparts that aluminium–copper hybrid nanoparticles facilitate higher heat transfer rate compared to mono nanoparticles. It is noteworthy to disclose that an uplift in thermophoresis and Brownian parameter depreciates heat transfer rate, while concentration profiles boost with an increase in thermophoretic parameter. Research limitations/implications: The current study targets to investigate heat transfer characteristics of an unsteady thin film radiative flow of water-based aluminium and copper hybrid nanofluid. The high thermal and electrical conductivities, low density and corrosion resistant features of aluminium and copper with their wide range of industrial applications like power generation, telecommunication, automobile manufacturing, mordants in leather tanning, etc., have prompted us to instil these particles in the present study. Practical implications: The present study has many practical implications in the industrial and manufacturing processes working on the phenomena like heat transfer, magnetohydrodynamics, thermal radiation, nanofluids, hybrid nanofluids with special reference to aluminium and copper particles. Originality/value: To the best extent of the authors’ belief so far no attempt is made to inspect the flow, thermal and mass transfer of water-based hybridized aluminium and copper nanoparticles with Brownian motion and thermophoresis. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.