Dynamics of Williamson nanofluids over a stretching sheet with variable viscosity, thermal conductivity, and Soret-Dufour mechanism effects

Abstract

This study investigates the two-dimensional, steady, incompressible flow of a Williamson nanofluid over a stretching sheet in the presence of a magnetic field, accounting for variable viscosity, thermal conductivity, and the Soret-Dufour effects. Williamson nanofluids, characterized by their non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior, are widely used in industrial processes such as polymer extrusion, chemical engineering, and food processing. The coupling of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) with variable thermophysical properties and cross-diffusion phenomena significantly influences heat and mass transfer performance, making it essential to explore these effects for practical applications. Numerical simulations are performed using the fourthorder Runge-Kutta method with the shooting technique to  obtain velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles, along with skin friction, Nusselt, and Sherwood numbers. The study provides a
comprehensive analysis of the impact of Williamson, magnetic, Soret, and Dufour parameters on flow and transport characteristics,
offering valuable insights for optimizing engineering systems.