Thermal energy transport in thin film flow of nanofluid over a decelerating rotating disk

Abstract

The thin film flow in nanotechnology is one of the most modern progresses in the study of thin films. This includes coating with nanocomposite materials, thus providing the materials improved mechanical properties due to a so-called size effect. The ultimate functional properties that can be gained are of high adherence, wear resistance, thermal conductivity, oxidation resistance, higher toughness and hardness. This article studies the transient motion of nanofluid thin film over a disk rotating with angular velocity inversely proportional to the time. The importance of Lorentz force arises due to the axial projection of magnetic flux is studied on thin film flow and heat transfer. Two active mechanisms of nanoparticles, namely thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion, are discussed using Buongiorno model. By adopting a similarity method, the velocity distribution thermal and concentration fields above the rotating disk are simulated numerically and assessed graphically. Numerical illustrations for nanofluid film thickness, skin friction and heat and mass transfer rates are depicted against the impacts of several influential parameters. Results highlight that film thickness reduces with unsteadiness and rotation parameters. The results also spectacle that the involvement of a magnetic beam reduces the velocity of nanofluid film. Further, it is observed that thermophoresis and Brownian motion effects make a better influence in enhancing the heat transfer rate.