Thin film flow of chemically reactive nonlinear thermally radiative magnetized variable viscosity fluid over a stretchable surface with non-uniform heat source/sink and Fick’s mass flux theory

Abstract

The study of thin film flow over a stretching sheet holds significant importance from an industrial perspective due to its relevance in various manufacturing and engineering processes. In the present investigation, we delved into the combined influence of non-uniform heat source/sink on the governing heat and mass transfer equations in a thin liquid film on a permeable stretching surface. We have considered the nonlinear thermal radiation and implemented convective-type boundary conditions. Our analysis examined the effects of crucial physical parameters, including non-uniform heat source/sink, thermal radiation, chemical reaction, magnetic parameter , Prandtl number, Schmidt number, and unsteadiness parameter in the range [−3.5, 2.0], [−2, 5], [0, 1], [0.3, 4.0], [1, 7], [0.8, 1.7], [0.7, 2.0], respectively. It is found that a non-uniform heat source/sink mitigated the temperature gradient, while an elevation in the Schmidt number intensified the mass transfer rate. The validation process enhanced the robustness and reliability of our numerical simulations.