Magneto-convective flow of hybrid nanofluids with carbon nanotube suspensions over an isothermal rotating plate using extended Yamada–Ota and Xue models

Purpose This study explores the magneto-convective behavior of a hybrid nanofluid composed of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) suspended in water over an isothermal rotating plate. The extended Yamada–Ota and Xue models are applied to assess the effects of key parameters on heat and mass transfer performance. Design/methodology/approach Using dimensionless forms of the governing equations, a perturbation method is employed to obtain approximate analytical solutions. The fluid velocity, temperature and concentration distributions are examined as functions of physical parameters, with graphical results presented for various cases. Findings Results indicate that increasing the Grashof number from 1 to 4 leads to a velocity enhancement of approximately 34%. Conversely, a rise in the magnetic parameter from 1 to 5 reduces velocity by about 28%. The temperature increases by up to 24% as the Dufour number rises from 1 to 4, while it decreases by 19% with an increase in the thermal radiation parameter from 2 to 8. The concentration decreases by 18 and 25% with a rise in the chemical reaction parameter from 1 to 3 and the Schmidt number from 0.2 to 0.6, respectively. Notably, the Yamada–Ota model predicts 10–20% higher temperature profiles than the Xue model under identical conditions. These findings offer significant implications for the design of advanced thermal systems, such as MHD-driven biomedical pumps, microelectronic cooling devices and aerospace heat exchangers. Originality/value This study is the first to simultaneously incorporate heat generation, chemical reaction, and radiation absorption into the Yamada–Ota and Xue models in the context of a rotating plate configuration. It provides quantitatively supported insights into hybrid nanofluid performance, aiding engineers in optimizing thermal systems for energy efficiency and enhanced control.