Boundary layer

Physics

Reynolds number

Mathematics

Heat transfer

Mechanics

Laminar flow

Nusselt number

Thermophoresis

Turbulence

Materials science

Nanofluid

Geometry

Mass transfer

Lewis number

Wedge (geometry)

Prandtl number

Thermodynamics

Scientific Reports

In this study, we are going to investigate semi-analytically the steady laminar incompressible two-dimensional boundary layer flow of a TiO2-CuO/water hybrid nanofluid over a static/moving wedge or corner that is called Falkner-Skan problem. A novel mass-based approach to one-phase hybrid nanofluid model that suggests both first and second nanoparticles as well as base fluid masses as the vital inputs to obtain the effective thermophysical properties of our hybrid nanofluid, has been presented. Other governing parameters are moving wedge/corner parameter (λ), Falkner-Skan power law parameter (m), shape factor parameter (n) and Prandtl number (Pr). The governing partial differential equations become dimensionless with help of similarity transformation method, so that we can solve them numerically using bvp4c built-in function by MATLAB. It is worthwhile to notice that, validation results exhibit an excellent agreement with already existing reports. Besides, it is shown that both hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layer thicknesses decrease with the second nanoparticle mass as well as Falkner-Skan power law parameter. Further, we understand our hybrid nanofluid has better thermal performance relative to its mono-nanofluid and base fluid, respectively. Moreover, a comparison between various values of nanoparticle shape factor and their effect on local heat transfer rate is presented. It is proven that the platelet shape of both particles (n1 = n2 = 5.7) leads to higher local Nusselt number in comparison with other shapes including sphere, brick and cylinder. Consequently, this algorithm can be applied to analyze the thermal performance of hybrid nanofluids in other different researches.

A novel hybridity model for TiO2-CuO/water hybrid nanofluid flow over a static/moving wedge or corner