Enhanced Thermal and Mass Diffusion in Maxwell Nanofluid: A Fractional Brownian Motion Model

This paper introduces fractional Brownian motion into the study of Maxwell nanofluids over a stretching surface. Nonlinear coupled spatial fractional-order energy and mass equations are established and solved numerically by the finite difference method with Newton’s iterative technique. The quantities of physical interest are graphically presented and discussed in detail. It is found that the modified model with fractional Brownian motion is more capable of explaining the thermal conductivity enhancement. The results indicate that a reduction in the fractional parameter leads to thinner thermal and concentration boundary layers, accompanied by higher local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers. Consequently, the introduction of a fractional Brownian model not only enriches our comprehension of the thermal conductivity enhancement phenomenon but also amplifies the efficacy of heat and mass transfer within Maxwell nanofluids. This achievement demonstrates practical application potential in optimizing the efficiency of fluid heating and cooling processes, underscoring its importance in the realm of thermal management and energy conservation.