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There is more demand for natural fiber-reinforced composites in the energy sector, and their impact on the environment is almost zero. Natural fiber has plenty of advantages, such as easy recycling and degrading property, low density, and low price. Natural fiber’s thermal properties and flexural properties are less than conventional fiber. This work deals with the changes in the thermal properties and mechanical properties of S-glass reinforced with a sodium hydroxide-treated pineapple leaf (PALF) and banana stem fibers. Banana stem and pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) were used at various volume fractions, i.e., 30%, 40%, and 50%, and various fiber lengths of 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm with S-glass, and their effects on the thermal and mechanical properties were studied, and their optimum values were found. It was evidenced that increasing the fiber volume and fiber length enhanced the flexural and thermal properties up to 40% of the fiber volume, and started to decrease at 50% of the fiber volume. The fiber length provides an affirmative effect on the flexural properties and a pessimistic effect on the thermal properties. The PALF S-glass combination of 40% fiber load and 40 cm fiber length provides maximum flexural strength, flexural modulus, storage modulus, and lowest loss modulus based on hybrid Taguchi grey relational optimization techniques. PALF S-glass hybrid composite has been found to have 7.80%, 3.44%, 1.17% higher flexural strength, flexural modulus, and loss modulus, respectively, and 15.74% lower storage modulus compared to banana S-glass hybrid composite.

Environmental concerns and the positive aspects of biowaste materials gained the attention of researchers to use them as filler materials in fabricating of green composites along with polymer matrices, but most of them are not suitable for extensive applications in high thermal applications. In most of the natural particulate materials are not having the ability to fight against pathogens. To overcome such barriers, a modification of biowaste - Orange Peel Powder (OPP) by the generation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is prepared with the one-step hydrothermal process. The modified Orange Peel Powder (MOPP), is then characterized by FESEM, EDX, FT-IR, XRD, and Thermal analyses. The presence of AgNPs in the MOPP is confirmed through FESEM & EDX analysis. FT-IR spectral analysis pronounced the non mutate functional groups in MOPP as compared with OPP. The generation of AgNPs in MOPP is confirmed through the XRD peaks of reflection planes at (1,1,1), (2,0,0), (2,2,0) & (3,1,1). Thermal Analysis results of TGA and DSC show the MOPP has increased thermal stability up to 363°C. Antibacterial test against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria for OPP & MOPP shows the inclusion of Ag strongly objects the pathogens. Eventually, the MOPP can be utilized as filler material along with the polymer matrix in high thermal as well as antibacterial composite filler applications.

Induction motors, acting as work house of industries, are affected by winding temperature due to poor insulation. In producing a sustainable polymer composite electrical insulator, this article gets into the investigative study of tensile strength, hydrophobicity, hardness and the electrical breakdown properties of silicone rubber (SR) reinforced with sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA). In order to identify optimal proportion, various filler proportions are studied for mechanical, physical, tensile and electrical properties. For 7% optimal filler composition, the tensile and hardness tests on SR/SCBA composite manifested a maximum value of 78.48 × 10–3 MPa and 0.91496 MPa, respectively. The electrical breakdown was recorded with the maximum value of 108.65 kV/cm with 7% filler. For hydrophobicity, the 7% filler specimens had the lowest rate of rise in weight after the water absorption test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and particle size analysis were carried out to evaluate the molecular interaction and particle dispersion. SEM analysis confirmed the presence of fiber-adhesion in matrix composites. Finally, the superiority of the context is also compared with earlier works. This context investigates the properties of bio-resin composite derived from sugarcane ash and creating its properties with artificial polymers to come out with a reliable electrical insulator application.

Here, the investigation is spotlighted on the aluminium alloy from the waste materials of the automobile bumpers which is a reinforced metal matrix composite created with 5 percentage of nickel and 5 percentage of magnesium oxide through the stir casting method. The stir casting process inputs parameters such as pressure of squeezing, time of squeezing, and speed of stirrer which were optimized based on the two mechanical properties’ outcome such as the tensile strength (TS) and Rockwell hardness. There are nine different experiments which were conducted based on the L9 array. The Taguchi method is used to identify the optimum input values for the greatest result of the processing condition by Minitab software. The responses-based parameters were ordered based on the rank identified through the investigational effects. Finally, the optimized input consideration values and the linear equations are recommended for both the considered outputs as conclusions.

On the total earth wastes, nearly one-third was packaging wastes. Most of the packaging materials are non-biodegradable and non-recyclable. To overcome these issues, researchers turned their attention to develop biodegradable films(bio-films). In this article, through the solution casting method bio-films were developed by using water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and various proportions (5–25wt%) of rice hull powder as reinforcement filler. The effect of RHP on the PVA matrix was investigated by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimeter, tensile test, surface morphology studies, water vapor permeability, and antibacterial testing. FTIR result revealed the proper bonding between PVA/RHP in bio-films via strong hydrogen bonds. XRD result reveals a slight increase in the intensity of bio-films and the crystalline size was reported between 5.53 and 13.28 nm. The infusion of RHP in the matrix shows that tensile strength and tensile modulus increases gradually and reaches the maximum value of 23.32 MPa and 684 MPa respectively at 25% of RHP in PVA. Thermal behavior proved that the bio-films were strong enough to withstand the temperature up to 350 °C. The lower values of WVP possess a higher interaction of polymer chains. The bio-film samples form a good inhibition zone against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and display remarkable antibacterial activity. From the microstructure images, it is visible that bio-films were homogenous, away from cracks and phase separation. By this evidence, RHP added PVA can be used as a packaging material.

Totally six composite bio-films were produced through a simple solution casting technique by varying the weight percentage (0, 5, 10,15, 20, 25 wt.%%) of the filler material (ground nutshell (GNS) ...

With an intention to replace the synthetic non-biodegradable films in packaging applications, the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blended with green banana peel filler (GBPF), the biodegradable films were prepared by solution casting method with varying the concentrations of GBPF (5–25 wt%) in PVA matrix. The bio films were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric analysis, transmissibility, FESEM, tensile test, film solubility and water absorption, water vapour transmission (WVT), soil burial test. Based on results obtained, the changes evidenced in the FTIR spectrum of this PVA/GBPF biofilms suggest that strong hydrogen bonding is taking place due to interfacial exchanges of GBPF in PVA matrix. The XRD results showed that crystallinity of bio films are greater than PVA. Thermo gravimetric analyses predicted that PVA/GBPF bio films are thermally stable up to 300 °C. The light is 45% for transmittance in the visible light region for the PVA/GBPF (25 wt%) bio film. The FESEM micrographs of biofilms palpable that formation of good physical interaction and compatibility between polymer matrix and GBPF up to 20 wt% of GBPF in PVA Matrix. FESEM results also confirmed that higher loading of GBPF (25 wt%) in PVA matrix, observed voids and agglomerations in film surface. The PVA/GBPF bio films with 20% of GBPF gave the highest tensile strength and young’s modulus 44.5 MPa and 66.7 GPA respectively compared to other samples. The elongation at break decreases with increases the GBPF in PVA Matrix up to 20 wt%.The slight decrease in mechanical properties perceived due to higher loading of GBPF (25 wt%) with PVA matrix. The solubility, water absorption and WVT of the PVA/GBPF bio films increased upon increasing the GBPF content. The biodegradation test results discovered that he highest weight loss at 42.3% (25 wt% of GBPF) probably due to the hydrophilic nature of GBPF in PVA matrix. On the whole, the present investigation confirmed that the PVA/GBPF bio films potential for possible utilization in active packaging applications attributable to its better mechanical, thermal, optical, water absorption and biodegradation properties.

Owing to develop the utilization of biowaste materials and minimize the usage of plastic materials, Orange peel Powder (OPP) biowaste is chosen as filler material along with Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) as a matrix to form biocomposite films. To stretch its applications to antibacterial applications the metal nanoparticles were incorporated by the in-situ generation of Ag by reducing the various concentration of the aqueous solution of AgNO3 to fabricate novel PVA/OPP/(1 mM to 5 mM)AgNPs hybrid biocomposite films. The fabricated biofilms were undergone the antibacterial test, mechanical test, and characterized by FESEM, FTIR, XRD & thermal analysis. The FESEM images clarify the homogenous distribution of filler materials in the PVA matrix and binding between the filler materials & matrices. FT-IR spectrum illustrates, there is no functional group change in the films by the inclusion of AgNPs as compare to the PVA/OPP films and indicates the strong adhesion and well dispersion of filler materials. XRD patterns confirm the presence of Ag and accentuated the crystallite size of generated AgNPs in the films as 23.44 nm, 25.59 nm, 26.25 nm, 28.17 nm, and 28.42 nm. Thermal analysis of the films shows improved thermal stability as well as glass transition temperature of the composite films included with AgNPs, also the considerable increase in the tensile strength and tensile modulus of the PVA/OPP/AgNPs films as compared to the neat PVA, PVA/OPP films. As compare to neat PVA and PVA/OPP films, with the increase of concentration of AgNO3 source solution antibacterial activity of the PVA/OPP/AgNPs films increases against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. With the above-improved results by the inclusion of Ag nanoparticles, this hybrid biocomposite films can be utilized in food processing industries

This paper explores opportunities to know about the optimal setting and influencing parameters of Indoor Air Quality characteristics (IAQ) of the air-conditioned car by response surface methodology (RSM). The trials were designed by the design of experiments and performed to cram the result of input parameters i.e human load, fresh air supply, and air velocity, on the Indoor Air Quality parameters i.e Temperature, Relative humidity, Oxygen and carbon dioxide inside the car air-conditioned space. This work traveled around on finding the mathematical model to show a relationship and interactions of IAQ parameters. Also, this work focused on finding the optimum setting controlling parameters by RSM. It recommend that car AC setting position of fresh air supply knob, and Air velocity (blower speed knob) for different human loads. This study be evidence for that the Response Surface methodology (RSM) techniques were suitable for optimizing the IAQ parameters with the minimum number of trials.

Pure copper its composites reinforced with Rice Husk Ash (RHA) particles prepared by Friction Stir Processing (FSP) technique. Copper Matrix Surface Composites (CMSCs) is to enrich the metallurgical and mechanical properties. Pure copper used as matrix material and ceramics particles RHA used as reinforcement. CMSCs were fabricated a set of process parameters such as rotational speed 1000 rpm, transverse speed 40 mm/min and an axial force 10 kN with a single pass. CMSCs are presently characterized using Optical Microscope (OM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Vickers hardness tester, and wear behavior conduct by pin-on-disk apparatus. High abrasive wear loss of pure copper because of its softness material. CMSCs of micrograph revealed the enhanced fine bonding in the stir zone (SZ) with a uniform dispersion of ceramic particles. The addition (0, 6, 12, 18 vol%) of RHA particles to copper prompts an expressive improvement in its hardness and wear resistance.

The physicochemical, thermal, and surface morphological properties of the Sida mysorensis fiber (SMF) were investigated first time in this article. From the chemical compositional analysis, higher ...

This investigation is aimed to analyze the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment on the physical, chemical, structural, thermal and surface topography of Phaseolus vulgaris fibers (PVFs). The...

This investigation aimed at finding the effect of weight fraction (10 wt.%, 20 wt.% and 30 wt.%) and fiber orientation (0°, 45° and 90°) on mechanical properties (Tensile, Flexural and Impact) of C...

The present work is planned to investigate the fundamental properties of the novel plant fiber extracted from the bark of Acacia nilotica L. tree. The various chemical compositions of the Acacia ni...

There is growing interest in recent times to develop biodegradable films with improved properties. They are potential substitutes for existing petroleum-based synthetic polymers. Eco-friendly biofi...

Environmental concerns are raised due to municipal solid wastes especially due to non-biodegradable packaging waste materials. To overcome such issues, researchers gained attention in biodegradable...

FSW parameters to fabricate the dissimilar materials of Brass-Copper joints without any defects. It evaluated by microstructural characteristics, mechanical behaviour of the welded joints. In this process tool cylindrical shoulder produced frictional heat among tool shoulder and base materials. Commercially size of plates 100 × 50 × 6 mm Br and Cu were welded by machine parameters of rotational speed 1200 rpm travel speed of 50 mm/min and an axial force of 8 kN without any tilt. The made-up of FSW specimens characterized microstructures by Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Observed microhardness by Vickers hardness tester. The observed stir zone area properly joined in dissimilar metals without any defects and enhanced the microhardness value.

Friction stir processing (FSP) is developed for the usage aluminum alloys and it is metal processing method that can provide grain structure of microstructures. Due to the frictional processing heat and stir processing the microstructure of the foundation metal is changed. The Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) and Aluminium Nitride (AlN) are used as reinforcement with the base metal Al2024 by using friction stir processing. Hardness, corrosion resistance, micro structure formation wear resistance and durability of Al2024 have been increased in this friction stir processing by reducing the defects due to the melting of the metal. It is an excellent material processing technology, and there is a high possibility for the preparation of super plastic materials and metal matrix composites. This work is mainly to improve the mechanical properties of Al2024 while it is reinforced by Si3N4 and AlN. Thus the results from this investigation is explained and discussed.

The automobile industry plays a vital role in the Indian Economy because of huge investment, Employment opportunity, People & Government interest in sophisticated and environment free travel of people. Next to vehicle performance, Aesthetic aspect and Ergonomic design playing a vital role in vehicle manufacturing. The vehicle bodybuilding sector can satisfy those needs in the automobile industry. The study is done on the Karur bus body building industry. Karur is one of South India’s largest bus body building hubs, providing a strong client base in the southern coast region. The Bus body building industry has been an icon of karur district, which has worked to grant survival support to the people and played a significant role in their financial sustain. The bus body manufacturing industry in the Karur city has taken a stand to changing demographics since its rise in the 1980s, even though market growth of fully-built buses (FBB) fabricated by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) has created a cautious circumstance among the coach builders. The buses built by OEM are the significant threat to the stability of Bus body coach builders. The intention of this paper is to evaluate the Karur bus body building industry and to create research evidence in the parameters of Infrastructure facility, Productivity & Quality practice, Quality certification & implementation.

In this work, the quasi-solid-state polymer electrolyte containing poly(vinyl alcohol)-polypyrrole as a polymer host, potassium iodide (KI), iodine (I2), and different plasticizers (EC, PC, GBL, and DBP) was successfully prepared via the solution casting technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze the interaction between the polymer and the plasticizer. X-ray diffraction confirmed the reduction of crystallinity in the polymer electrolyte by plasticizer doping. The ethylene carbonate-based polymer electrolyte showed maximum electrical conductivity of 0.496 S cm−1. The lowest activation energy of 0.863 kJ mol−1 was obtained for the EC-doped polymer electrolyte. The lowest charge transfer resistance Rct1 was due to a faster charge transfer at the counter electrode/electrolyte interface. The polymer electrolyte containing the EC plasticizer exhibited an average roughness of 23.918 nm. A photo-conversion efficiency of 4.19% was recorded in the DSSC with the EC-doped polymer electrolyte under the illumination of 100 mWcm−2.

To overcome the environmental regulations adopted across the globe in polymer composites, a natural fiber extracted from the waste stem of Elettaria cardamomum plant (ECF) was investigated ...

The exploration of polymer electrolyte in the field of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) can contribute to increase the invention of renewable energy applications. In the present work, the influence of imidazole on the poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)–poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–Ethylene carbonate (EC)–KI–I2 polymer blend electrolytes has been evaluated. The different weight percentages of imidazole added into polymer blend electrolytes have been prepared by solution casting. The prepared films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV–visible spectra, photoluminescence spectra and impedance spectroscopy. The surface roughness texture of the film was analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The ionic conductivity of the optimized polymer blend electrolyte was determined by impedance measurement, which is 1.95 × 10−3 S·cm−1 at room temperature. The polymer electrolyte containing 40 wt% of imidazole content exhibits the highest photo-conversion efficiency of 3.04% under the illumination of 100 mW·cm−2. Moreover, a considerable enhancement in the stability of the DSSC device was demonstrated.

This present investigation is aimed at understanding the impact of various chemical treatments on the physicochemical properties of Luffa cylindrica fibers (LCFs). One of the major disadvantages of...

In this work, graphene was used as a filler for banyan aerial root fibers reinforced epoxy composites at various compositions. The synergetic effect of graphene and banyan fibers, on the physical a...

Natural fibers are emerging as best alternatives for synthetic materials in selective applications. These fibers may not have the required properties in its raw form and hence needs some alterations in its characteristics. Likely, this article reports enhancement in surface and structural properties of Thespesia populnea bark fiber treated with NaOH under various concentration and soaking period. Fibers treated with 5% NaOH for 60 min yields noteworthy mechanical strength (678.41 ± 48.91 MPa) owing to its relatively high cellulose fraction (76.42%). Fourier transform infrared spectra endorses the removal of non-cellulosic compounds and X-ray diffraction studies reveals 13.6% growth in the size of cellulose crystals on optimally treated fibers. Weibull distribution model statistically interprets the reliability of acquired tensile test results. Finally, microscopic examinations with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy explore that fiber surface turns rough after alkali treatment and makes it appropriate for reinforcement in polymer matrices.

This study focuses on enhancing the free vibration characteristics of epoxy polymers by reinforcing it with Phoenix sp. fibers and nano-clay for the first time. The composites were prepared by vary...

This study was aimed at understanding the characteristics of Celosia argentea fiber (CAF) and its physicochemical properties. The physicochemical properties of CAF were analyzed by FT-IR, XRD, TGA,...

In the present study, γ-ray-irradiated and un-irradiated PVA/PPy/KI/I2 conducting polymer electrolytes have been prepared for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The conducting polymer electrolyte was prepared by solution cast technique. The degree of crystallinity of both the γ-ray-irradiated and un-irradiated samples has been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the studies show that γ-ray irradiation increases the amorphous nature. The band gap energy, Urbach’s energy, and no. of carbon in a cluster were determined from the UV–visible spectra. An electrical conductivity of all the samples has been analyzed by four-probe method, and it shows an increase in the electrical conductivity of γ-ray-irradiated samples. The EIS measurement revealed that the γ-ray-irradiated electrolyte possessed excellent electro-catalytic activity and low Rct1 at the CE/electrolyte interface. A significant improvement in the photo-conversion efficiency of γ-ray-irradiated polymer electrolyte in DSSC by 4.53% was also observed. This proves to be better and efficient DSSCs for building window glass system. Moreover, the stability tests indicated that ~ 80% of the initial efficiency was persistent after the long-term stability of 450 h.

Cellulose, a major proportion of all plant resources are not utilized at its best. Hence, this investigation explores the potential of cellulose fraction in bark fibers of Thespesia populnea for real time use by evaluating its anatomical, physicochemical, mechanical, thermal and morphological properties. Anatomical studies confirm two types of phloem fiber cells based on dimensions of secondary cell wall and lumen. Significant concentration of cellulose (70.12%) helps to attain favorable outcomes in tensile strength (557.82 ± 56.29 MPa). FTIR spectra confirm the presence of cellulosic compound in fiber structure and the size of crystalline cellulose is estimated as 35.76 A using XRD results. Thermal profile of TGA and DSC validates that fiber is steady up to 245.4 °C and cellulose degradation befalling between 250 °C and 370 °C accounts for major weight loss in fiber. Images acquired through SEM and AFM depict that the fiber surface is smooth with average roughness of 3.002 nm.

A poly (vinyl alcohol) PVA/Eriochrome Black-T (EBT) dye, and PVA/Eosin-Y (EY) dye composite film was prepared using a solution casting process. The dye-doped composite polymer films were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy. An optical band gap (Eg) of pure PVA reduced from 4.22 eV to 2.80 eV for PVA/EBT film and 2.14 eV for PVA/EY film respectively. This result indicates the occurrence of inter-molecular hydrogen bonding between the –OH functional group in PVA chains and sulfonate (EBT) and carboxyl group (EY) in dye molecules, respectively. Moreover, the experimental result of PVA/EBT and PVA/EY composite film showed the excellent properties of a large scale cut-off filter in the ultraviolet and visible range region.