Abstract

This study aims to examine the mixed convective flow and heat transport of a pentahybrid nanofluid over an exponentially stretching surface under nonlinear thermal radiation effects. By employing non-similar solutions, the study explores how stretching, convection, radiation, and nanoparticles influence the pentahybrid nanofluid motion. The methodology involves formulating flow equations under boundary layer approximations in a Cartesian coordinate system. Scaling transformations are applied to non-dimensionalize the governing equations. The resulting non-similar equations are then solved using the finite difference method to analyze the hydrothermal flow characteristics of pentahybrid nanofluid. The mixed convection parameters significantly influence pentahybrid nanofluid flow and heat transfer. Higher βt strengthens buoyancy forces, enhancing temperature, streamlines, and heat transfer, while δ increases velocity. Thermal radiation parameters intensify heat transfer by elevating temperature gradients. Temperature shows a rise–fall–rise behavior under the collective aspects of nonlinear thermal radiation and mixed convection. The originality of the study lies in analyzing the mixed convective flow of a novel pentahybrid nanofluid over an exponentially stretching surface under the influence of nonlinear thermal radiation. Unlike previous works that often use simpler nanofluid models or linear radiation assumptions, this study develops a non-similar formulation, capturing more general and realistic flow behavior. The combination of pentanary nanoparticles, nonlinear radiation, and non-similar solutions makes the study highly innovative and unique.