Heat Transfer and Electroosmotic Flow over Stretching Sheet: A Sensitive Analysis through Response Surface Method

Abstract

Recent advancements in electro-osmotic surface coatings have led to significant theoretical and numerical exploration of how zeta potential influences the electroosmotic flow of viscous ionic fluids over a stretching sheet. The governing boundary layer equations are derived from the fundamental laws of mass, momentum, and energy conservation using appropriate similarity transformations and non-dimensionalization techniques. This system of equations is solved numerically using MATLAB’s bvp4c solver. The accuracy of the computational results is confirmed through comparison with previously published studies. To better understand the influence of various parameters on flow and thermal behavior, Response Surface Methodology and Factorial Plot analysis are applied. These statistical tools enable sensitivity analysis by systematically investigating the effects of zeta potential, electroosmosis parameter, electric field strength, and Prandtl number on key flow characteristics such as velocity, temperature distribution, skin friction coefficient, and Nusselt number. The results reveal that the electric field parameter plays a dominant role in enhancing axial velocity and increasing skin friction, making it a key factor in flow dynamics. The zeta potential significantly influences the boundary layer by modifying the electrical double layer and surface charge distribution, leading to noticeable deceleration. Meanwhile, the Prandtl number primarily governs thermal gradients and heat transfer rates, controlling the thermal behavior of the fluid. These physical insights, combined with the optimization capability of Response Surface Methodology, provide actionable guidelines for the design of electroosmotic coating processes and lab-on-chip biomedical devices.OPEN ACCESS Received: 07/08/2025 Accepted: 17/10/2025 Published: 03/02/2026

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