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Featured researches published by B. Deepa.


Bioresource Technology | 2011

Structure, morphology and thermal characteristics of banana nano fibers obtained by steam explosion

B. Deepa; Eldho Abraham; Bibin Mathew Cherian; Alexander Bismarck; Jonny J. Blaker; Alcides Lopes Leão; Sivoney Ferreira de Souza; M. Kottaisamy

In this work, cellulose nanofibers were extracted from banana fibers via a steam explosion technique. The chemical composition, morphology and thermal properties of the nanofibers were characterized to investigate their suitability for use in bio-based composite material applications. Chemical characterization of the banana fibers confirmed that the cellulose content was increased from 64% to 95% due to the application of alkali and acid treatments. Assessment of fiber chemical composition before and after chemical treatment showed evidence for the removal of non-cellulosic constituents such as hemicelluloses and lignin that occurred during steam explosion, bleaching and acid treatments. Surface morphological studies using SEM and AFM revealed that there was a reduction in fiber diameter during steam explosion followed by acid treatments. Percentage yield and aspect ratio of the nanofiber obtained by this technique is found to be very high in comparison with other conventional methods. TGA and DSC results showed that the developed nanofibers exhibit enhanced thermal properties over the untreated fibers.


Carbohydrate Polymers | 2013

Environmental friendly method for the extraction of coir fibre and isolation of nanofibre.

Eldho Abraham; B. Deepa; Laly A. Pothen; J. Cintil; Sabu Thomas; Maya Jacob John; Rajesh D. Anandjiwala; Suresh S. Narine

The objective of this work was to develop an environmental friendly method for the effective utilization of coir fibre by adopting steam pre-treatment. The retting of the coconut bunch makes strong environmental problems which can be avoided by this method. Chemical characterization of the fibre during each processing stages confirmed the increase of cellulose content from raw (40%) to final steam treated fibres (93%). Morphological and dynamic light scattering analyses of the fibres at different processing stages revealed that the isolation of cellulose nano fibres occur in the final step of the process as an aqueous suspension. FT-IR and XRD analysis demonstrated that the treatments lead to the gradual removal of lignin and hemicelluloses from the fibres. The existence of strong lignin-cellulose complex in the raw coir fibre is proved by its enhanced thermal stability. Steam explosion has been proved to be a green method to expand the application areas of coir fibre.


Cellulose | 2013

Physicomechanical properties of nanocomposites based on cellulose nanofibre and natural rubber latex

Eldho Abraham; B. Deepa; Maya Jacob John; Suresh S. Narine; Sabu Thomas; Rajesh D. Anandjiwala

Cellulose nanofibres (CNF) with diameter 10–60 nm were isolated from raw banana fibres by steam explosion process. These CNF were used as reinforcing elements in natural rubber (NR) latex along with cross linking agents to prepare nanocomposite films. The effect of CNF loading on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical (DMA) properties of NR/CNF nanocomposite was studied. The morphological, crystallographic and spectroscopic changes were also analyzed. Significant improvement of Young’s modulus and tensile strength was observed as a result of addition of CNF to the rubber matrix especially at higher CNF loading. DMA showed a change in the storage modulus of the rubber matrix upon addition of CNF which proves the reinforcing effect of CNF in the NR latex. A mechanism is suggested for the introduction of the Zn–cellulose complex and its three dimensional network as a result of the reaction between the cellulose and the Zinc metal which is originated during the composite formation.


Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety | 2013

Biosorption of Cd(II) from aqueous solution using xanthated nano banana cellulose: equilibrium and kinetic studies.

Saumya S. Pillai; B. Deepa; Eldho Abraham; N. Girija; P. Geetha; Laly Jacob; Mathew Koshy

Present study explored the biosorption capacity of xanthated nano banana cellulose (XNBC) for Cd(II) from aqueous solution. The biosorbent containing sulfur-bearing groups have a high affinity for heavy metals. Sulfur can be considered as a soft ligand group having strong affinity for cadmium. In the present study, the influence of various important parameters such as pH, time, biosorbent dose and initial Cd(II) concentration on the biosorption capacity were investigated. The maximum biosorption capacity of XNBC for Cd(II) was found to be 154.26 mg g⁻¹ at 298 K. The Cd(II) sorption of XNBC was confirmed by SEM-EDS and XRF analysis. The isotherms such as Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson and Tempkin were studied. The Langmuir and the Redlich-Peterson isotherms had been well fitted the biosorption of Cd(II) with xanthated nano banana cellulose. The kinetics of Cd(II) removal using XNBC was well explained by second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated from the biosorption measurements. Among the various desorbing agents tested, the desorbing efficiency was found to be maximum with 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl. It was found that XNBC is also suitable to be used under column operation.


Materials | 2016

Biodegradable Nanocomposite Films Based on Sodium Alginate and Cellulose Nanofibrils

B. Deepa; Eldho Abraham; Nereida Cordeiro; Marisa Faria; Sabu Thomas

Biodegradable nanocomposite films were prepared by incorporation of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) into alginate biopolymer using the solution casting method. The effects of CNF content (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 wt %) on mechanical, biodegradability and swelling behavior of the nanocomposite films were determined. The results showed that the tensile modulus value of the nanocomposite films increased from 308 to 1403 MPa with increasing CNF content from 0% to 10%; however, it decreased with further increase of the filler content. Incorporation of CNF also significantly reduced the swelling percentage and water solubility of alginate-based films, with the lower values found for 10 wt % in CNF. Biodegradation studies of the films in soil confirmed that the biodegradation time of alginate/CNF films greatly depends on the CNF content. The results evidence that the stronger intermolecular interaction and molecular compatibility between alginate and CNF components was at 10 wt % in CNF alginate films.


Archive | 2015

Extraction and Characterization of Cellulose Nanofibers from Banana Plant

B. Deepa; Eldho Abraham; Rekha Rose Koshy; Sabu Thomas

Isolation of cellulose nanofibers from renewable resources is becoming an important area of research. The use of these novel nature-based materials has garnered interest from the scientific community because of their high strength and stiffness combined with low weight, biocompatibility, and renewability. The nanodimensions of cellulose fibrils result in a high surface area and hence the powerful interaction of these celluloses with surrounding species, such as water, organic and polymeric compounds, nanoparticles, and living cells. In this context, cellulose nanofibers from banana plant have attracted much interest due to its potential use as a reinforcing agent in novel eco-friendly nanocomposite preparation. This chapter introduces the current knowledge on the extraction of nanocellulose from banana plant and the different characterization techniques employed to understand the reinforcing potential of these nanofibers.


Interface Engineering of Natural Fibre Composites for Maximum Performance | 2011

Thermomechanical and spectroscopic characterization of natural fibre composites

K.R. Rajisha; B. Deepa; Sabu Thomas

Abstract: A critical review is presented of the thermomechanical and spectroscopic characterization of the interface of natural fibre composites. These natural fibres offer a number of advantages over traditional synthetic fibres and several have been found to serve as efficient reinforcement in various polymers. The quality of the fibre–matrix interface is significant for the application of natural fibres as reinforcement for any polymer.


Polymer Degradation and Stability | 2012

X-ray diffraction and biodegradation analysis of green composites of natural rubber/nanocellulose

Eldho Abraham; P.A. Elbi; B. Deepa; P. Jyotishkumar; Laly A. Pothen; Suresh S. Narine; Sabu Thomas


Journal of Molecular Structure | 2016

Green synthesis and characterization of alginate nanoparticles and its role as a biosorbent for Cr(VI) ions

P. Geetha; M.S. Latha; Saumya S. Pillai; B. Deepa; K. Santhosh Kumar; Mathew Koshy


Reviews of Adhesion and Adhesives | 2014

Adhesion and Surface Issues in Biocomposites and Bionanocomposites

Cintil Jose; Merin Sara Thomas; B. Deepa; Sabu Thomas

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Sabu Thomas

Mahatma Gandhi University

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Maya Jacob John

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

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Rajesh D. Anandjiwala

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

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