MHD double diffusive convective squeezing ternary nanofluid flow between parallel plates with activation energy and viscous dissipation

Purpose This study aims to present the consequences of activation energy and the chemical reactions on the unsteady MHD squeezing flow of an incompressible ternary hybrid nanofluid (THN) comprising magnetite (FE3O4), multiwalled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNT) and copper (Cu) along with water (H2O) as the base fluid. This investigation is performed within the framework of two moving parallel plates under the influence of magnetic field and viscous dissipation. Design/methodology/approach Due to the complementary benefits of nanoparticles, THN is used to augment the heat transmit fluid’s efficacy. The flow situation is expressed as a system of dimensionless, nonlinear partial differential equations, which are reduced to a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by suitable similarity substitutions. These transformed ODEs are then solved through a semianalytical technique called differential transform method (DTM). The effects of several changing physical parameters on the flow, temperature, concentration and the substantial measures of interest have been deliberated through graphs. This study verifies the reliability of the results by performing a comparison analysis with prior researches. Findings The enhanced activation energy results in improved concentration distribution and declined Sherwood number. Enhancement in chemical reaction parameter causes disparities in concentration of the ternary nanofluid. When the Hartmann number is zero, value of skin friction is high, but Nusselt and Sherwood numbers values are small. Rising nanoparticles concentrations correspond to a boost in overall thermal conductivity, causing reduced temperature profile. Research limitations/implications Due to its firm and simple nature, its implications are in various fields like chemical industry and medical industry for designing practical problems into mathematical models and experimental analysis. Practical implications Deployment of the squeezed flow of ternary nanofluid with activation energy has significant consideration in nuclear reactors, vehicles, manufacturing facilities and engineering environments. Social implications This study would be contributing significantly in the field of medical technology for treating cancer through hyperthermia treatment, and in industrial processes like water desalination and purification. Originality/value In this problem, a semianalytical approach called DTM is adopted to explore the consequences of activation energy and chemical reactions on the squeezing flow of ternary nanofluid.