PurposeNonlinear mixed-convective entropy optimized the flow of hyperbolic-tangent nanofluid (HTN) with magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) process is considered over a vertical slendering surface. The impression of activation energy is incorporated in the modeling with the significance of nonlinear radiation, dissipative-function, heat generation/consumption connection and Joule heating. Research in this area has practical applications in the design of efficient heat exchangers, thermal management systems or nanomaterial-based devices.Design/methodology/approachSuitable set of variables is introduced to transform the PDEs (Partial differential equations) system into required ODEs (Ordinary differential equations) system. The transformed ODEs system is then solved numerically via finite difference method. Graphical artworks are made to predict the control of applicable transport parameters on surface entropy, Bejan number, Sherwood number, skin-friction, Nusselt number, temperature, velocity and concentration fields.FindingsIt is noticed from present numerical examination that Bejan number aggravates for improved estimations of concentration-difference parameter a_2, Eckert number E_c, thermal ratio parameter ?_w and radiation parameter R_d, whereas surface entropy condenses for flow performance index n, temperature-difference parameter a_1, thermodiffusion parameter N_t and mixed convection parameter ?. Sherwood number is enriched with the amplification of pedesis-motion parameter N_b, while opposite development is perceived for thermodiffusion parameter. Lastly, outcomes are matched with formerly published data to authenticate the present numerical investigation.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, no investigation has been reported yet that explains the entropic behavior with activation energy in the flowing of hyperbolic-tangent mixed-convective nanomaterial due to a vertical slendering surface.