Thermal energy characteristics and double-diffusive mixed convective nanofluid flow past a permeable exponentially stretchable sheet with variable heat generation/absorption effects

Abstract

The flow dynamics in nanofluidic systems have important applications and uses such as cooling of microelectronic devices, space constraints are critical, in solar energy collectors and thermal storage systems. Inspired by this objective, this study analyses the two-dimensional circulation of a radiative nanofluid above an exponentially extending plane, modulated by position-dependent heat generation/absorption and cross-diffusion interactions. The mass as well as heat transfer phenomena are explored by integrate the effects of Brownian motion and thermophoresis. By utilizing similarity transformations, the flow’s fundamental partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into a collection of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The nonlinear system is addressed via MATLAB’s bvp5c solver. The predictions are displayed graphically and discussed. The outcomes reveal that suction term efficiently stabilizes the boundary layers by removing fluid and particle solute from the close-wall region, resulting in improved heat and mass transport. Thermal analysis showed that the variable heat source, heat radiation, and Prandtl number strongly influence the temperature distribution. Raising the Dufour number redistributed energy in the nanofluid and reduced thermal transport at the wall, but a higher Soret number strengthened thermally stimulated mass diffusion, thereby inspiring the Sherwood number.