Abstract
Purpose This study presents a mathematical approach and model that can be useful to investigate the thermal performance of fluids with microstructures via hybrid nanoparticles in conventional fluid. It has been found from the extensive literature survey that no study has been conducted to investigate buoyancy effects on the flow of Maxwell fluid comprised of hybrid microstructures and heat generation aspects through the non-Fourier heat flux model. Design/methodology/approach Non-Fourier heat flux model and non-Newtonian stress-strain rheology with momentum and thermal relaxation phenomena are used to model the transport of heat and momentum in viscoelastic fluid over convectively heated surface. The role of suspension of mono and hybrid nanostructures on an increase in the thermal efficiency of fluid is being used as a medium for transportation of heat energy. The governing mathematical problems with thermo-physical correlations are solved via shooting method. Findings It is noted from the simulations that rate of heat transfer is much faster in hybrid nanofluid as compare to simple nanofluid with the increasing heat-generation coefficient. Additionally, an increment in the thermal relaxation time leads to decrement in the reduced skin friction coefficient; however, strong behavior of Nusselt number is shown when thermal relaxation time becomes larger for hybrid nanofluid as well as simple nanofluid. Originality/value According to the literature survey, no investigation has been made on buoyancy effects of Maxwell fluid flow with hybrid microstructures and heat generation aspects through non-Fourier heat flux model. The authors confirm that this work is original, and it has neither been published elsewhere nor is it currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.