Nanoparticle shape effects on MHD Cu–water nanofluid flow over a stretching sheet with thermal radiation and heat source/sink

Abstract

This study provides an insight into the effects of various nanoparticle shape factors on magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer flow and heat transfer over a stretching sheet. Choosing appropriate nanoparticles can control velocity and heat transfer. A magnetic field is part of the momentum equation, and the effects of radiation and heat source/sink are part of the energy equation. Equations governing the problem are converted into nonlinear ODEs by similarity transformation. Afterwards, Runge–Kutta fourth-order scheme combined with shooting technique is employed. A magnetic field and porosity decrease the velocity. Radiation and a heat source/sink both escalate temperature. The Eckert number and porosity also improve the temperature. As nanoparticle volume fraction increases, the Nusselt number decreases and skin friction increases. Among the nanoparticle shapes considered in this study, platelet-shaped nanoparticles have the best flow and heat transfer performance. According to the studies we examined, the results obtained are consistent with those previously published.