A numerical inquiry of the MHD radiative thin film nanofluid flow and heat transfer augmentation for Ni and Ta nanoparticles of different shapes dispersed in C 12 H 26–C 15 H 32 over an unsteady, curved stretching surface

Abstract

Thin films are a versatile technology used in various industries, including light-emitting diodes, magnetic recording media, electronic device manufacturing, and optical coating. They are crucial for studying quantum phenomena, superlattices, and multiferroic materials. Their small size allows for better thermal transport studies due to the combination of thin film flow and nanoparticles. Therefore, this study aims to investigate thin film flow and heat transfer with the effects of thermal radiations, magnetic field, and velocity slip in association with tantalum ( Ta ) and nickel ( Ni ) nanoparticles that emerged in kerosene oil ( C 12 H 26 − C 15 H 32 ) toward a curved stretching surface. A review of the pertinent literature indicates that no research has previously been done on the present problem of an unsteady thin film flow across a curved stretching surface. The problem under consideration is modeled by choosing the curvilinear coordinate system. The controlling nonlinear system of partial differential equations is transformed into the system of ordinary differential equations by using an appropriate similarity transformation and then solved numerically using the BVP 4 C technique in MATLAB . The impact of significant physical parameters on velocity, temperature, skin friction, and Nusselt numbers are depicted through graphs and radar charts. The investigation highlights the significant influence of magnetohydrodynamics ( MHD ) , thermal radiation, volumetric fraction, and velocity slip on the enhancement of nanofluid temperature. It is also noted that cylindrical-shaped Ta nanoparticles exhibited the maximum velocity, while blade-shaped Ni nanoparticles showed the lowest. Moreover, the maximum and minimum temperatures were observed for blade-shaped Ni nanoparticles and cylindrical Ta nanoparticles, respectively. Additionally, the maximum and minimum values of skin friction are found for cylindrical Ni nanoparticles and blade-shaped Ta nanoparticles, respectively. Similarly, the maximum and minimum Nusselt numbers are recorded for cylindrical Ta nanoparticles and blade-shaped Ni nanoparticles, respectively.