Development of eco friendly hybrid nanocomposites with improved antibacterial and mechanical properties through NaOH treated natural fibers
Nanoparticles have emerged as effective enhancers of polymer composite properties, particularly in improving mechanical strength and antibacterial resistance. However, challenges remain in optimizing natural fiber–matrix interfacial bonding and filler dispersion, which affect the overall performance...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Results in Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025010722 |
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| author | Natrayan Lakshmaiya M. Karthick Kiran Bhaskar Naga Dheeraj Kumar Reddy Chukka Nimel Sworna Ross Ramya Maranan |
| author_facet | Natrayan Lakshmaiya M. Karthick Kiran Bhaskar Naga Dheeraj Kumar Reddy Chukka Nimel Sworna Ross Ramya Maranan |
| author_sort | Natrayan Lakshmaiya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nanoparticles have emerged as effective enhancers of polymer composite properties, particularly in improving mechanical strength and antibacterial resistance. However, challenges remain in optimizing natural fiber–matrix interfacial bonding and filler dispersion, which affect the overall performance of hybrid composites. This study addresses the research gap by combining NaOH-treated coir and hemp fibers with SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ nanofillers to develop eco-friendly hybrid nanocomposites with superior mechanical and antibacterial properties. Natural fibers were alkali-treated with 5 wt. % NaOH for 4 h to enhance fiber–matrix adhesion, while nanoparticles were incorporated at varying loadings (0 to 10 wt. %) into the epoxy matrix. The composites were fabricated using compression molding. Mechanical characterization included flexural testing (ASTM D790) and hardness testing (ASTM E10), while antibacterial activity was evaluated using the well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results demonstrated that 7.5 wt. % nanofiller addition yielded maximum performance, with a 240 % increase in flexural modulus and up to 41 % improvement in hardness for NaOH-treated fiber composites. Compared to untreated fibers, alkali-treated fibers showed a 16 % improvement in mechanical properties. Antibacterial testing revealed inhibition zones as high as 18 mm, confirming strong effectiveness against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This study establishes a novel approach to hybrid nanocomposite design by integrating fiber surface treatment and dual nanofiller reinforcement, supporting the development of sustainable materials for protective, structural, and biomedical surface applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fa736a4339904e23ba2d006677a62379 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2590-1230 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Results in Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-fa736a4339904e23ba2d006677a623792025-08-20T02:20:03ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-06-012610499610.1016/j.rineng.2025.104996Development of eco friendly hybrid nanocomposites with improved antibacterial and mechanical properties through NaOH treated natural fibersNatrayan Lakshmaiya0M. Karthick1Kiran Bhaskar2Naga Dheeraj Kumar Reddy Chukka3Nimel Sworna Ross4Ramya Maranan5Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai 602105, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600062, Tamil Nadu, IndiaSchool of Engineering, NICMAR University, Pune, Maharashtra 411045, IndiaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Aditya University, Surampalem, IndiaFaculty of Mechanical Engineering, Opole University of Technology, 45-271 Opole, PolandDivision of Research and Development, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar - Delhi G.T.Road, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India; Corresponding author.Nanoparticles have emerged as effective enhancers of polymer composite properties, particularly in improving mechanical strength and antibacterial resistance. However, challenges remain in optimizing natural fiber–matrix interfacial bonding and filler dispersion, which affect the overall performance of hybrid composites. This study addresses the research gap by combining NaOH-treated coir and hemp fibers with SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ nanofillers to develop eco-friendly hybrid nanocomposites with superior mechanical and antibacterial properties. Natural fibers were alkali-treated with 5 wt. % NaOH for 4 h to enhance fiber–matrix adhesion, while nanoparticles were incorporated at varying loadings (0 to 10 wt. %) into the epoxy matrix. The composites were fabricated using compression molding. Mechanical characterization included flexural testing (ASTM D790) and hardness testing (ASTM E10), while antibacterial activity was evaluated using the well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results demonstrated that 7.5 wt. % nanofiller addition yielded maximum performance, with a 240 % increase in flexural modulus and up to 41 % improvement in hardness for NaOH-treated fiber composites. Compared to untreated fibers, alkali-treated fibers showed a 16 % improvement in mechanical properties. Antibacterial testing revealed inhibition zones as high as 18 mm, confirming strong effectiveness against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This study establishes a novel approach to hybrid nanocomposite design by integrating fiber surface treatment and dual nanofiller reinforcement, supporting the development of sustainable materials for protective, structural, and biomedical surface applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025010722NanoparticlesNaOH treatmentNatural fibersHybrid nanocompositesAntibacterial propertiesMechanical properties |
| spellingShingle | Natrayan Lakshmaiya M. Karthick Kiran Bhaskar Naga Dheeraj Kumar Reddy Chukka Nimel Sworna Ross Ramya Maranan Development of eco friendly hybrid nanocomposites with improved antibacterial and mechanical properties through NaOH treated natural fibers Results in Engineering Nanoparticles NaOH treatment Natural fibers Hybrid nanocomposites Antibacterial properties Mechanical properties |
| title | Development of eco friendly hybrid nanocomposites with improved antibacterial and mechanical properties through NaOH treated natural fibers |
| title_full | Development of eco friendly hybrid nanocomposites with improved antibacterial and mechanical properties through NaOH treated natural fibers |
| title_fullStr | Development of eco friendly hybrid nanocomposites with improved antibacterial and mechanical properties through NaOH treated natural fibers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of eco friendly hybrid nanocomposites with improved antibacterial and mechanical properties through NaOH treated natural fibers |
| title_short | Development of eco friendly hybrid nanocomposites with improved antibacterial and mechanical properties through NaOH treated natural fibers |
| title_sort | development of eco friendly hybrid nanocomposites with improved antibacterial and mechanical properties through naoh treated natural fibers |
| topic | Nanoparticles NaOH treatment Natural fibers Hybrid nanocomposites Antibacterial properties Mechanical properties |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025010722 |
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