Ni-Zn Research Articles

Achievement of in-situ solid-to-solid conversion mechanism of thick ZnO-based anodes (30 mAh cm−2) in lean electrolyte environment for alkaline Ni[sbnd]Zn batteries

Alkaline NiZn batteries exhibit promising prospects owing to the advantages on safety, cost, eco-compatibility and considerable energy density. Nevertheless, their commercialization is still under great restrictions owing to the poor cycling life. To overcome this challenge, it is critical to explore the charge storage behavior and the corresponding failure mechanism of full cells in practical environment with thick electrodes and lean electrolyte. Herein, an in-situ ZnO↔Zn conversion dominate mechanism is accomplished in the system assembled with ZnO@C as anode with 100 % depth of charge (DOC) and a charge capacity of ~30 mAh cm−2, which can induce all the Zn formed in the core, resulting in dendrites and deformation-free charging. With a lower DOC of ~33 %, the cell can be well remained for ~320 cycles with a high average coulombic efficiency of ~93 % cycled at 10 mA cm−2/10 mAh cm−2. Even after the cell failure, there is still no dendrites or passivation on the anode. Yet, Zn phase dominates the anode, and obvious polarization increase can be detected accompanied by the decrease of pH. Therefore, water decomposition, and mismatch of reaction kinetics of anode and cathode are proposed to be the main reason of cell failure.

Electrospun Mesoporous Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 - CNT - Hollow Carbon Ternary Composite Nanofibers as High Performance Electrodes for Advanced Symmetric Supercapacitors.

Spinel ferrites have attracted considerable interest in energy storage systems due to their unique magnetic, electrical and catalytic properties. However, they suffer from poor electronic conductivity and low specific capacity. We have addressed this limitation by synthesizing composite hollow carbon nanofibers (HCNF) embedded with nanostructured Nickel Zinc Ferrite (NZF) and Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT), through coaxial electrospinning. These ternary composite nanofibers NZF-CNT-HCNF have a high specific capacity of 833 C g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 and have a capacity retention of 90 % after 3000 cycles. Their performance is much better than pure NZF fibers (180 C g-1) or hollow carbon nanofibers (96 C g-1), suggesting synergy between various constituents of the composite. A symmetric supercapacitor fabricated from NZF-CNT-HCNF composite nanofibers (30 % NZF) has a high specific capacity of 302 C g-1 (302 A g-1) at a current density of 1 A g-1 and has a capacity retention of 95 % after 5000 cycles. At the same current density, the device has a high energy density of 39 Whkg-1 and power density of 1000 Wkg-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1. This performance can be attributed to the high specific surface area (776 m2 g-1), mesoporosity (pore size ~4 nm), interconnectedness of the nanofibers and high electrical conductivity of CNTs. These fibers can be used as light-weight high performance electrode materials in advanced energy storage devices.

In Situ Construction of Hierarchical Nickel-Cobalt Hydroxides Derived from Metal-Organic Frameworks for High-Performance Nickel-Zinc Batteries.

Rechargeable nickel-zinc (Ni-Zn) batteries hold great promise for large-scale applications due to their relatively high voltage, cost-efficient zinc anode, and good safety. However, the commonly used cathode materials are susceptible to overcharging and experience irreversible capacity degradation, primarily as a result of low electrical conductivity and substantial limitations in volume-constrained proton diffusion. Here, we present a robust methodology for synthesizing hierarchical nickel-cobalt (Ni-Co) hydroxides characterized by hollow interiors and interconnected nanosheet shells with the help of in situ formed metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The templating effect of the MOF induced the hierarchical structure, while the chemical etching of MOFs by Ni2+ ions resulted in a hollow structure, thereby enhancing the surface area. Theoretical calculations suggested that incorporation of cobalt reduces the band gap, thereby improving electronic conductivity, and lowered the deprotonation energy, which mitigated overcharge issues. These advantages conferred improved specific capacity, rate capability, and cyclic stability to the Ni-Co hydroxide. The Ni-Zn cell delivered specific energy values of 338 Wh kg-1 at 1.62 kW kg-1 and 142 Wh kg-1 at 29.89 kW kg-1. Our investigations undercoreed the critical role of MOFs as intermediates in the preparation of multi-component hydroxide and the construction of hiearchical structures to achieve superior performance.

Permeability modulation of Fe-Ni/nanoparticle (Ni, Zn) soft magnetic composites

In this study, we investigated how adding nanopowders to a micropowder affects the packing fraction and permeability. The micropowder used was a Fe-Ni crystalline alloy, which was sieved to less than 38 μm to minimize the effect of particle size distribution. The nanopowders, magnetic Ni and nonmagnetic Zn, were added to the Fe-Ni at weight ratios of 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, and 80:20. The results showed that the permeability of Fe-Ni was higher when sieved to 38 μm compared to the overall particle size. When the magnetic Ni nanopowder was added to the Fe-Ni powder sieved to 38 μm, both the packing fraction and permeability increased up to a ratio of 85:15 and then decreased. On the other hand, when the nonmagnetic Zn nanopowder was added, the packing fraction increased up to a ratio of 85:15 and then decreased, while the permeability continued to decrease.

Nickel-doped zinc tartrate (Ni@ZnT) nanocrystals: Synthesis, optical properties, and antimicrobial activity

This work used the sol-gel method to synthesize nickel-doped zinc tartrate nanocrystals (Ni@ZnT NCs) to study their optical properties and antimicrobial activities. Using the Scanning electron microscopy study, these NCs show irregular-shaped morphology. Their crystalline nature and average crystalline size of 45 ​nm were studied by X-ray diffraction. Using an Energy-Dispersive X-ray confirmed the presence of zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) elements. FTIR analysis was used to identify several functional groups like O–H stretching (3461.6 ​cm−1), CO stretching mode (2367.55 ​cm−1), and stretching vibrations of Ni–Zn–O (below 800 ​cm−1). The thermal stability was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. UV–Vis spectroscopy studied the optical properties; an absorption peak represents the Zn–Ni transition at about 336 ​nm and a band gap of 3.86 ​eV and was also used to calculate the refractive index and extinction coefficient at 280 ​nm. For ZnT and Ni@ZnT NCs, the maximum absorption λ was found to be 295 ​nm and 278 ​nm. The antibacterial activity of ZnT and Ni@ZnT NCs was evaluated against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli; for these strains, the NCs (15.3 ​mm and 15.6 ​mm) showed a somewhat larger zone of inhibition than ZnT (13.6 ​mm and 12.3 ​mm). The study also evaluated the antifungal activity of these materials against some fungal strains, such as Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Fusarium spp, the zone of inhibition varied from 12 to 13.6 ​mm, and there was a significant difference between the two materials. Therefore, this work successfully synthesized Ni@ZnT NCs and studied their optical properties and antimicrobial activity.

Development and Evaluation of pH‐Responsive Microbeads Incorporated with Nickel Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles for Controlled Release of Doxorubicin

AbstractThe development of a pH‐responsive, biocompatible polymeric carrier for controlled delivery of bioactive agents holds significant practical value for pharmaceutical applications. In this study, we used the gelation method to make pH‐responsive polymeric microbeads using sodium alginate (SA), poly(vinylpyrrolidone‐co‐vinyl acetate) (PVPVA), and nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) nanoparticles for controlled release of doxorubicin (DOX). The generated microbeads are characterized using various techniques, including Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Swelling studies reveal enhanced permeability at pH 6.4, and in vitro release studies demonstrate a higher release rate at pH 6.4 compared to pH 2.0. Cytotoxicity tests on MCF‐7 cells (a type of breast cancer cell line) showed that NZF‐loaded microbeads, especially SP‐NZFNPs‐DOX, were more effective than other carriers, indicating their potential usefulness in cancer treatment. Furthermore, biocompatibility tests demonstrate that the SA/PVPVA microbeads and nanoparticles are biocompatible with 3T3 fibroblasts. This study contributes valuable insights to the evolving landscape of nanotechnology in cancer treatment, emphasizing the synergistic role of NZF nanoparticles, SA, and PVPVA in optimizing drug delivery systems.

Magnetic Properties of a Nickel–Zinc Ferrite Powder with Different Degrees of Dispersion

The influence of the degree of dispersion of a nickel–zinc ferrite powder of a Ni0.7Zn0.3Fe2O4 composition on its magnetic properties has been considered. The material has been synthesized using the ceramic technology with preliminary mechanical activation of precursors. The degree of dispersion has been varied using different modes of its dry grinding in a ball mill. The patterns of the changes in saturation magnetization and the coercive force as a function of grinding modes and a specific surface area of the ferrite powder have been established. The changes in the pattern of the magnetic phase transition in the region of the Curie temperature of materials with different degrees of dispersion have been determined.

A Paramagnetic Nickel–Zinc Hydride Complex

AbstractReaction of a molecular zinc–hydride [{(ArNCMe)2CH}ZnH] (Ar=2,6‐di‐isopropylphenyl) with 0.5 equiv. of [Ni(CO)Cp]2 led to the isolation of a nickel–zinc hydride complex containing a bridging 3‐centre,2‐electron Ni−H−Zn interaction. This species has been characterized in the solid‐state by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. DFT calculations are consistent with its formulation as a σ‐complex derived from coordination of the zinc–hydride to a paramagnetic nickel(I) fragment. Continuous‐wave and pulse EPR experiments suggest that this species is labile in solution. Further experiments show that in the presence of catalytic quantities of nickel(I) precursors, zinc–hydride bonds can undergo either H/D‐exchange with D2 or dehydrocoupling to form Zn−Zn bonds. In combination, the data support the activation and functionalisation of zinc–hydride bonds at nickel(I) centres.

Synthesis of Amorphous Nickel-Cobalt Hydroxides for Ni-Zn Batteries.

In this work we developed a hydrothermal method for synthesizing amorphous Ni-Co hydroxide (NC(OH)) and in the subsequent step crystalline NiCo2O4 (NCO) has been produced using water as the solvent. For nickel-zinc batteries, NC(OH) was found to have superior performance to its NCO prepared by two-step process. The thermal stability analysis exhibited the optimum temperature to obtain the NC(OH), and NCO electrode materials. The XRD pattern showed mixed phases containing both Ni and Co hydroxides (during the initial step) and in the subsequent step (calcined) the formation of cubic spinel structure was noticed. For NC(OH), aggregated particles with irregular morphology were observed while clustered nanorod-like shapes were noticed for NCO samples. To be noted, that the nanorod morphology was obtained through a facile approach without employing any structure-directing agent. Both NC(OH) and NCO were employed as cathodes for Ni-Zn battery studies against Zn foil anode with a polyamide-based separator soaked in 6 M KOH saturated with ZnO additive was used as electrolyte. The Ni-Zn cell was fabricated in CR2032 coin cell configuration. The electrochemical studies such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed the characteristic redox peaks for NC(OH) sample exhibiting high peak current compared to its NCO counterpart. The NC(OH) had a capacity of 268 mAh g-1 against 120 mAh g-1 for NCO at a current density of 1 Ag-1. The cell was able to retain 85 % of the capacity at the end of 500 cycles and showed remarkable rate capability. The Ni-Zn battery presents energy and power densities of 428.8 Wh Kg-1 and 2.68 kW Kg-1, respectively surpassing the normal values reported for aqueous rechargeable batteries. Owing to the presence of Ni and Co in hydroxide form (reduced crystallinity) the NC(OH) sample showed improved electrochemical activity. This work provides a facile approach and effective strategy for developing bimetallic hydroxides for optimal energy storage performance.

Regulating the 3d-orbital occupancy on Ni sites enables high-rate and durable Ni(OH)2 cathode for alkaline Zn batteries

The capacity and cycling stability of β-Ni(OH)2-based cathodes in aqueous alkaline Ni-Zn batteries are still unsatisfactory due to their undesirable OH− adsorption/desorption dynamics during the electrochemical redox process. To settle this issue, we introduce a new atomic-level strategy to finely modulate the OH− adsorption/desorption of β-Ni(OH)2 through tailoring the 3d-orbital occupancy of Ni center by Co/Cu co-doping (denoted as Co-Cu-Ni(OH)2). Both experimental outcomes and density functional theory calculations validate that the co-doping of Co and Cu endows the Ni species in Co-Cu-Ni(OH)2 with appropriate proportion of the unoccupied 3d-orbital, leading to optimized adsorption/desorption strength of OH−. As anticipated, the Co-Cu-Ni(OH)2 electrode demonstrates superior performance, achieving an areal capacity of 0.83 mAh cm−2 and a gravimetric capacity of 164.3 mAh g−1 at ∼50 mA cm−2 (10 A g−1). Furthermore, it sustains an impressive capacity of 170.8 mAh g−1 (2.3 mAh cm−2) at a high mass loading of 13.5 mg cm−2, alongside a long-term cycling performance over 1000 cycles. The assembled Co-Cu-Ni(OH)2//Zn cell is able to provide a peak energy density of 0.98 mWh cm−2 and excellent durability. This work highlights the potential of an orbital engineering strategy in the development of next-generation high-capacity and durable energy storage materials.

Abutilon indicum-mediated green synthesis of NiO and ZnO nanoparticles: Spectral profiling and anticancer potential against human cervical cancer for public health progression

BackgroundIntegrating nanomedicines for targeted cancer treatment and pursuing medicinally valuable components from nature are crucial for sustainable, potent alternatives to synthetic drugs in combating fatal diseases like cancer. Hence, a green synthesis of nickel oxide (NiO NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has been carried out by using the leaf extract of medicinally important plant Abutilonindicum. This sustainable approach to medical developments not only reduces the environmental effect of standard synthesis methods and offers new options for novel cancer therapeutics, but it also advances public health by using natural resources in a sustainable manner. MethodsThe synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by employing spectro-analytical techniques like UV–vis, FT-IR, SEM and powder XRD. Synthesized nanparticles were evaluated in the human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). ResultsNi-O stretching vibrations were observed at 402 cm−1, whereas that of Zn-O stretching was observed at 409 cm−1in the FT-IR spectrum, confirming the formation of nanoparticles. The XRD pattern revealed the crystallite size range of 1.35–2.84 nm for NiO NPs and 7.71–56.80 nm for ZnO NPs. The morphology of the nanoparticles, as indicated by the SEM images, was rod-like for NiO NPs and rock-shaped for ZnO NPs. Further, the cancer cell growth inhibition activity of the nanoparticles was examined by MTT assay against human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) proliferation and compared with cisplatin. MTT assay elucidated the significant anticancer efficacy of the synthesized nanoparticles, showcasing low IC50 values of 29±0.5 µg/ml for NiO NPs and 32±0.7 µg/ml for ZnO NPs. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of the NiO NPs was investigated using the Trypan blue dye exclusion technique, emphasizing the pronounced cytotoxic impact of NiO NPs on cancer cell viability. The outcomes underscore the notable anticancer properties of plant extract mediated metal nanoparticles as promising contenders for advancing cancer treatment modalities.

Synthesis and characterization of ZnO–NiO binary nanocomposites by hydrothermal technique for gas sensing and photocatalytic applications

Inorganic photocatalytic materials exhibiting a highly efficient response to ultraviolet-visible light spectrum have become a subject of widespread global interest. Nanocomposite metal oxides, particularly Nickel Oxide (NiO) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO), have gained attention for their diverse applications in gas sensing and photocatalytic processes. In this work, ZnO-NiO (ZnO0.6NiO0.4 and ZnO0.4NiO0.6) binary nanocomposites were synthesized by hydrothermal technique. The binary nanocomposites were analyzed by UV-Visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD pattern revealed that the nanocomposites, the peaks of both ZnO and NiO are present indicating the presence of both crystal structures hexagonal wurtzite and cubic. The miller indices, crystallite size, microstrain and dislocation density were determined from the XRD plot. FESEM and TEM analyses showed the spherical morphology of the synthesized composites with an approximate size of 10[Formula: see text]nm. The detailed analysis of ZnO–NiO binary nanocomposite sensor characteristics in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, response and recovery time were carried out and the nanocomposites were found to be highly sensitive to CO2 100 ppm at 350∘C and Cl2 at 200∘C. The photocatalytic degradation outcome showed 52% degradation of methylene blue at 10 ppm and 90[Formula: see text]w/m2. These results suggest the potential utility of these binary nanocomposites in photocatalytic applications for the degradation of organic pollutants.

Development and experimental investigation of a new direct urea fuel cell

This study concerns the development and experimental investigation of Direct Urea-Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells (DUHPFC), with a particular emphasis on electrode preparation using nickel zinc iron oxide coated on stainless steel foil via the electrochemical deposition method, and the performance evaluation of single cells under varying operational conditions is also performed. This electrochemical deposition helps achieve a uniform and stable anode coating, which exhibits the high catalytic activity and stability, resulted in significantly enhanced urea oxidation reaction. The research further identifies an optimal performance for a single cell at 25 °C with 9 M KOH and 0.5 M urea, achieving a peak power density of 46.38 mW/cm2. The single cell demonstrates an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.72 V. Both energy and exergy efficiencies are further investigated for the cell performance and found to be 58% and 24%, respectively, at 5 M KOH. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results reveal a significant reduction in impedance, from 30-Ωcm2 at 25 °C to 15-Ωcm2 at 65 °C, indicating an enhanced ionic conductivity and a reduced resistance. The present study results suggest that optimizing the electrode composition and operational parameters significantly improves the DUHPFC's performance, offering valuable insights for future fuel cell development.

Achievement of advanced alkaline Ni-Zn batteries with good durability at a high areal capacity of 10 mAh cm−2 via the synergistic regulation of dual electrolyte additives

Though obvious advantages in terms of safety, cost, environmental compatibility and electrochemical performance (e.g, power and energy density), the commercial application of alkaline Ni-Zn batteries, a number of traditional aqueous batteries, is still under great restrictions owing to the poor durability (commonly less than 100 cycles). In this work, an effective electrolyte modification process using dual additives of hydroxy-rich carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) that can inhibit hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and suppress Zn dendrites, and benzyltrimethylammonium bromide (BTMAB) that can mitigate passivation and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is developed. Meanwhile, our home made C coated ZnO (ZnO@C) microspheres were used as initial anode materials without the using of any other expensive composites. With a fixed areal charge capacity of 10 mAh cm−2, the flat type full cell matched with commercial Ni(OH)2 cathode can deliver a high average discharge capacity of ∼9.6 mAh cm−2 (corresponding to an average CE of 96 %) for a long lifespan of over 390 cycles, which drops to 8.2 mAh cm−2 at 400th cycle accompanied by the appearance of a peak in the charge curve. The cumulative discharge capacity of a full cell can reach ∼4,000 mAh cm−2 in 420 cycles’ cycling, much larger than that using commercial Zn/ZnO anode and the ZnO@C anode in unmodified or single additive modified electrolyte (less than 1,500 mAh cm−2).

Effect of the chemical substitution on structural parameters and microwave properties of the Co–Ni–Zn spinels

Co0.3Ni0.7-xZn xFe2O4 (where x = 0.00–0.7 with step 0.1) spinels or CNZF with constant Co concentration and varying of the Ni/Zn concentration were obtained by the ceramic method from initial oxides. Based on X-ray diffraction data it was concluded that all samples are single-phase (SG: Fd-3m). Concentration dependences of the lattice constant and unit cell volume correlate well with Vegard's rule and the average value of the Zn2+ and Ni2+ ionic radii. The microwave permeability was measured in the frequency range of 0.1–20 GHz by a coaxial technique. Two resonances on frequency dependences were observed. Analysis of the microwave properties and magnetostatic data showed that low-frequency magnetic peak was caused by a resonance of domain boundaries; high-frequency peak was due to a natural ferrimagnetic resonance. Obtained results opens broad perspectives for practical application of such kind of materials and possibility for microwave parameters control by the external magnetic field.

Controlled Compositions in Zn–Ni Coatings by Anode Material Selection for Replacing Cadmium

Cadmium-based coatings have long been used to protect high-strength steel in aerospace, but due to cadmium’s toxic and carcinogenic nature, its use is increasingly restricted. Zinc–nickel coatings, containing 10–14 wt% Ni, offer superior corrosion resistance compared to pure zinc, making them a promising alternative. However, Zn–Ni coatings are prone to cracking, which can compromise their protection. This study investigates how different anode materials influence crack formation and coating properties during electrodeposition. Zinc and nickel anodes produced coatings with consistent thicknesses of 13–15 µm, while 1020 steel and stainless steel resulted in thicker coatings of up to 33 µm. Notably, coatings deposited with nickel anodes demonstrated strong adhesion and consistent interface quality. Zinc anodes achieved a high Ni content of about 13.5 wt%, whereas 1020 steel and stainless steel produced lower Ni content, around 7 wt%. Additionally, zinc and nickel anodes led to fewer defects and minimal porosity, in contrast to the higher porosity observed with 1020 steel and stainless steel anodes. Furthermore, zinc anodes maintained stable voltages (~0.5 V), contributing to more uniform coatings. In terms of corrosion resistance, zinc anodes exhibited a lower corrosion rate of 0.44 mm/year compared to 1.54 mm/year for nickel anodes. This study highlights the importance of anode selection in reducing cracking and optimizing Zn–Ni coatings, presenting them as a safer and more effective alternative to cadmium-based coatings.

Studies on sol–gel autocombustion processed Ni–Zn–Mg ferrite system: effect of calcination temperature, thermoelectric power, and gas sensing application

Studies on sol–gel autocombustion processed Ni–Zn–Mg ferrite system: effect of calcination temperature, thermoelectric power, and gas sensing application

Effect of Gd3+ doping on microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni–Zn–Co ferrite

Effect of Gd3+ doping on microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni–Zn–Co ferrite

Optical analysis of ferrite films using spectroscopic ellipsometry

This work presents the optical properties of nickel zinc ferrite, nickel copper zinc ferrite, and nickel cobalt zinc ferrite films prepared on Si/SiO2 substrates using the sol-gel and spin-coating technique. A J.A. Woollam Company RC2 model D variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometer was used to measure the amplitude ratio (Ψ) and phase difference (Δ) of the films annealed at two distinct temperatures (500 and 800 °C). Measurements were taken at three incident angles (55°, 65°, and 75°) across the spectral range of 190–1000 nm, with a step size of 1 nm. The acquired data were subjected to modeling using a summation of Kramers–Kronig consistent oscillators to determine the film thickness and complex optical functions (refractive index and extinction coefficient) with a minimized mean-squared error. Additionally, incorporating a surface roughness layer notably enhanced the accuracy, with the roughness described using the Bruggeman effective medium approximation reflecting a 50%–50% mixture between the film's optical constants and those of air (void). The experimental and simulated (Ψ, Δ) spectra as a function of wavelength at angles 55°, 65°, and 75° for the NZF, NCuZF, and NCoZF films annealed at 500 and 800 °C are provided. The refractive index and extinction coefficient values as a function of wavelength for NZF, NCuZF, and NCoZF films annealed at 500 and 800 °C are also included. The elucidated optical properties of these films hold potential for application in various optoelectronic devices, including solar cells.

Entropy optimization in multigrade motor oil based nanofluid: a spectral and sensitivity analysis with particle shape and dispersion effects

PurposeThis study aims to enhance heat transfer efficiency while minimizing friction factor and entropy generation in the flow of Nickel zinc ferrite (NiZnFe2O4) nanoparticles suspended in multigrade 20W-40 motor oil (as specified by the Society of Automotive Engineers). The investigation focuses on the effects of the melting process, nonspherical particle shapes, thermal dispersion and viscous dissipation on the nanofluid flow.Design/methodology/approachThe fundamental governing equations are transformed into a set of similarity equations using Lie group transformations. The resulting set of equations is numerically solved using the spectral local linearization method. Additionally, sensitivity analysis using response surface methodology (RSM) is conducted to evaluate the influence of key parameters on response function.FindingsHigher dispersion reduces entropy production. Needle-shaped particles significantly enhance heat transfer by 27.65% with melting and reduce entropy generation by 45.32%. Increasing the Darcy number results in a reduction of friction by 16.06%, lower entropy by 31.72% and an increase in heat transfer by 17.26%. The Nusselt number is highly sensitive to thermal dispersion across melting and varying volume fraction parameters.Originality/valueThis study addresses a significant research gap by exploring the combined effects of melting, particle shapes and thermal dispersion on nanofluid flow, which has not been thoroughly investigated before. The focus on practical applications such as fuel cells, material processing, biomedicine and various cooling systems underscores its relevance to sectors such as nuclear reactors, tumor treatments and manufacturing. The incorporation of RSM for friction factor analysis introduces a unique dimension to the research, offering novel insights into optimizing nanofluid performance under diverse conditions.