Analytical approximation of MHD nano-fluid flow induced by a stretching permeable surface using Buongiorno’s model

Abstract

Abstract In the current study, the flow problem resulting from the stretching of a surface with convective conditions in a magnetohydrodynamic nano-fluid employing Buongiorno’s model is examined using Optimal Homotopy Analysis Method (OHAM). Effects of Brownian motion and thermophoresis on MHD flow of nano-fluid are accounted in the presence of both heat and nanoparticle mass transfer convective conditions. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into highly nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) consisting of the momentum, energy and concentration equations via appropriate similarity transformations. The current optimal HAM solution illustrates very good correlation with those of the previously published studies in the especial cases. The influences of different flow physical governing parameters including magnetic parameter, Brownian motion parameter and thermophoresis parameter, Lewis number, suction parameter, and thermal and concentration Biot numbers on fluid velocity component, temperature distribution and concentration profile are discussed in details. The results present that OHAM is able to display excellent potential, convergence and accuracy for simulating nano-fluid problems. Moreover, the species boundary layer thins and the concentration profiles become steeper when Lewis number is increased. Applying suction at the vertical surface causes the hydrodynamic boundary-layer to get thinner and also the thermal and species boundary-layer get depressed by increasing the suction parameter.