Influence of chemically radiative nanoparticles on flow of Maxwell electrically conducting fluid over a convectively heated exponential stretching sheet

Purpose This paper aims to examine the influence of radiative nanoparticles on incompressible electrically conducting upper convected Maxwell fluid (rate type fluid) flow over a convectively heated exponential stretching sheet with suction/injection in the presence of heat source taking chemical reaction into account. Also, a comparison of the flow behavior of Newtonian and Maxwell fluid containing nanoparticles under the effect of different thermophysical parameters is elaborated. Velocity, temperature and nanoparticle volume fractions are assumed to have exponential distribution at boundary. Buongiorno model is considered for nanofluid transport. Design/methodology/approach The equations, which govern the flow, are reduced to ordinary differential equations using suitable transformation. The transformed equations are solved using a robust homotopy analysis method. The convergence of the homotopy series solution is explicitly discussed. The present results are compared with the results reported in the literature and are found to be in good agreement. Findings It is observed from the present study that larger relaxation time leads to slower recovery, which results in a decrease in velocity, whereas temperature and nanoparticle volume fraction is increased. Maxwell nanofluid has lower velocity with higher temperature and nanoparticle volume fraction when compared with Newtonian counterpart. Also, the presence of magnetic field leads to decrease the velocity of the nanofluid and enhances the skin coefficient friction. The existence of thermal radiation and heat source enhance the temperature. Further, the presence of chemical reaction leads to decrease in nanoparticle volume fraction. Higher value of Deborah number results in lower the rate of heat and mass transfer. Originality/value The novelty of present work lies in understanding the impact of fluid elasticity and radiative nanoparticles on the flow over convectively heated exponentially boundary surface in the presence of a magnetic field using homotopy analysis method. The current results may help in designing electronic and industrial applicants. The present outputs have not been considered elsewhere.