A Theoretical Investigation on the Heat Transfer Ability of Water-Based Hybrid (Ag–Au) Nanofluids and Ag Nanofluids Flow Driven by Electroosmotic Pumping Through a Microchannel

Abstract

This article explores the peristaltically regulated electroosmotic pumping of water-based hybrid (Ag–Au) nanofluids through an inclined asymmetric microfluidic channel in a porous environment. A newly developed model termed as modified Buongiorno model which studies the impact of thermophoretic and Brownian diffusion phenomenon along with the inclusion of thermophysical attributes of nanoparticles is employed to predict the heat transfer attributes. Governing equations of the present model are linearized through Debye–Huckel and lubrication linearization principle. Mathematical software Maple 17 is applied to simulate the numerical results. Salient attributes of the electroosmotic peristaltic pumping subject to various physical parameters are assessed through graphical results. Visualization of fluid flow is presented by preparing contour plots for stream function. Moreover, a comparative study for water-based hybrid (Ag–Au) nanofluid and the silver nanofluid is made. It is found that the hybridity of nanofluid facilitates to achieve a much higher heat transfer rate as compared to silver-water nanofluid and thermophysical properties are remarkably improved in the case of hybrid nanofluids. The heat transfer rate is inversely related to the size of suspended nanoparticles. Furthermore, the mechanism of heat transfer is boosted through electroosmosis by reducing the thickness of the electric double layer and applying the electric field. This model will be applicable to developing biomicrofluidics devices for drug delivery systems.