Unsteady boundary layer flow of nanofluid past an impulsively stretching sheet

Abstract

The unsteady laminar boundary layer flow of nanofluid caused by a linearly stretching sheet is considered. Transport equations contain the simultaneous effects of Brownian motion and thermophoretic diffusion of nanoparticles. The relevant partial differential equations are non-dimensionalized and transformed into similar forms by using appropriate similarity transformations. The uniformly valid explicit expressions of velocity, temperature and nanoparticles volume fraction are derived. Convergence of the series solutions is carefully analyzed. It is observed that an increase in the strength of Brownian motion effect rises the temperature appreciably. However rate of heat transfer and nanoparticles concentration at the sheet is reduced when Brownian motion effect intensifies. It is also found that the temperature and nanoparticles concentration are increasing functions of the unsteady parameter. © 2013 The Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, R.O.C.