Flow over a moving wedge in a nanofluid is considered. Magneto-hydrodynamic effects are incorporated along with the passive control model of nanofluids that also takes into account the Brownian motion and thermophoresis effects. In energy equation, nonlinear radiation is taken into account. The equations governing the flow are transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations by employing suitable similarity transforms. The reduced system of equations is then solved numerically using a well-known Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method coupled with shooting technique. Influence of parameters involved on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles is highlighted with the help of graphical aid. Expressions for skin friction coefficient, local Nusselt number and Sherwood number are obtained and presented graphically. A comparison between the passive and active control models is also provided with focus on the variations in Nusselt and Sherwood numbers.