https://shodhratna.thapar.edu:8443/jspui/handle/123456789/62 Research Output of Department of Chemical Engineering 2025-08-10T22:18:35Z https://shodhratna.thapar.edu:8443/jspui/handle/tiet/230 Title: A review of the emerging approaches for developing multi-scale filler-reinforced epoxy nanocomposites with enhanced impact performance Authors: Shelly, Daksh; Singhal, Varun; Nanda, Tarun; Mehta, Rajeev; Aepuru, Radhamanohar; Lee, Seul-Yi; Park, Soo-Jin Abstract: Fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) are utilized for myriad applications owing to their exceptional characteristics like high specific strength and stiffness. However, the low-to-moderate impact strength of these materials is a major constraint restricting their usage in fields requiring high-impact performance. To ensure the reliable performance of FRPCs throughout the intended life span, a combination of good static mechanical properties and high impact resistance is crucial. Recent advancements in this field have yielded a breakthrough by developing novel materials that overcome this limitation. This groundbreaking achievement was realized by processing epoxy-based GFRPs containing a synergistic blend of surface-modified nano-clay and compatibilized polymeric fiber micro-reinforcement. This review provides an overview of advancements in the development of FRPCs, starting from the single-filler to multi-scale filler-reinforced materials. The review elaborates on the effect of reinforcement of various thermoplastic fibers (polyethylene, para-aramid, and spandex) on the mechanical performance of FRPCs. The necessity of filler compatibilization to enhance interfacial bonding constituents is also discussed. It can be concluded that the choice of surface treatment for a given thermoplastic fiber is governed by its chemical composition, the functional groups to be added on its surface through a specific compatibilization treatment, and the chemical nature of other constituents of the composite system with which the treated fiber surface interacts. Further, the greater the elasticity and ductility of the reinforced thermoplastic fiber, the higher the impact strength of the resulting epoxy-based GFRPs. Finally, the review brings forth the potential opportunities for future research in this area. Highlights: Discussed recent advancements in epoxy-based GFRPs with multi-scale filler reinforcement. Multi-scale filler-reinforced epoxy-based GFRPs have myriad applications in aviation, automobile, marine, sports, etc. Nano-/micro-fillers in their pristine state degrade the mechanical performance of epoxy-based GFRPs. Filler compatibilization is essential for achieving superior mechanical performance in epoxy-based GFRPs. Reinforcing compatibilized soft/ductile thermoplastic fibers resulted in a notable increase in impact strength while maintaining tensile properties. © 2024 The Authors. Polymer Composites published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Plastics Engineers. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://shodhratna.thapar.edu:8443/jspui/handle/tiet/222 Title: Calotropis-mediated biosynthesis of TiO2@SnO2Ag nanocomposites for efficient perovskite photovoltaics Authors: Kumar, Anjan; Mohammed, Mustafa K.A.; Telba, Ahmad A.; Awwad, Emad Mahrous; Ulloa, Nestor; Barahona, Byron Vaca; Kaur, Harpreet; Singh, Parminder Abstract: In this study, green SnO2@TiO2 nanocomposites were initially synthesized using an extract from the Calotropis plant as an electron transfer material for fabricating perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Further, plasmon impregnation (Ag-NPs) into the SnO2@TiO2 nanocomposites yielded nanocomposite (TiO2@SnO2/Ag) films. The effect of doping silver into the SnO2@TiO2 nanocomposites was investigated in detail to gain insights into how it influences the photovoltaic performance of the PSC. It resulted in enhanced quenching of photoluminescence compared to TiO2 and TiO2@SnO2 electron transport layers (ETLs), indicating faster charge extraction. PSCs utilizing the TiO2@SnO2/Ag ETL showed significantly improved performance with a power conversion efficiency of 22.2 %, a higher fill factor, and reduced hysteresis compared to cells with TiO2 and TiO2@SnO2 ETLs. The characterization of the nanocomposites revealed that the TiO2@SnO2/Ag ETL led to perovskite films with improved crystallinity, morphology, charge separation, and transfer properties. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed the TiO2@SnO2/Ag ETL facilitated faster charge transfer and lower recombination at interfaces. Finally, the TiO2@SnO2/Ag ETL-based devices exhibited superior long-term stability in air, maintaining over 87 % of their initial efficiency. This work demonstrates that the incorporation of TiO2@SnO2/Ag nanocomposites is effective for developing high-performance and stable PSCs. © 2024 Elsevier B.V. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://shodhratna.thapar.edu:8443/jspui/handle/tiet/216 Title: Enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of rGO/NiO/Ag nanocomposite for degradation of methylene blue dye Authors: Singh, Durgesh; Batoo, Khalid Mujasam; Hussain, Sajjad; Kumar, Anjan; Aziz, Qusay Husam; Sheri, Fatime Satar; Tariq, Hayder; Singh, Parminder Abstract: The current study focuses on boosting the photocatalytic ability of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by decorating the rGO nano-sheets with nickel oxide (NiOx) and silver (Ag) nanomaterials. The developed ternary nanomaterials were investigated using FTIR, XRD, FESEM, TEM, Raman, and UV-vis to evaluate the photo-degradation process. The rGO/NiOx/Ag ternary system showed promising photocatalytic dye degradation under simulated sunlight irradiance. The addition of NiOx and Ag nanomaterials widened the catalytic activity spectrum from the visible region to the UV-region. Besides, these materials hindered the electron-hole recombination, boosting the catalytic activity. The reusability results also clearly showed that the synthesized ternary nanomaterials have good reproducibility and stability for photocatalytic degradation of industrial wastewater. © 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://shodhratna.thapar.edu:8443/jspui/handle/tiet/211 Title: Investigation of the effect of halide counterions on the potential corrosioninhibitor in imidazolium-based ionic liquids Authors: Lagum, Abdelmajeed Adam; Sharma, Saroj; Yadav, Anupam; Singh, Parminder; Saeed, Shakir Mahmood; Abbass, Russul R.; Hameed, Ali H.; Kadhim, Mustafa M. Abstract: Imidazolium (IMZ)-based ionic liquids (ILs) with various counter ions were investigated as potential corrosion inhibitors. Furthermore, parameters such as bond lengths, bond angles, and dihedral bonds were investigated to demonstrate the adsorption sites of molecules. Moreover, in order to compare the efficiency of the inhibitors, other parameters such as energy gap, hardness, the LUMO, and the HOMO were investigated. The HOMO and LUMO values increased from −4.370 and −0.106 eV to −4.959 and −0.156 eV, respectively, by changing F− to I−. Moreover, the softness of the IMZ base changed from 0.469 to 0.417 eV by increasing the radius of the halide ion. The trend of the band gap value in going from F− to I− changes from 4.264 to 4.797 eV. The total electron density was computed to show the adsorption sites based on the electron density. According to the molecular reactivity results, the inhibitory efficiency of the inhibitors was in the following order: BMI-F > BMI-Cl > BMI-Br > BMI-I. Investigating the IMZ-based ILs with various counterions to evaluate the inhibition profile of molecules provides useful insights into computational protocols for the study of corrosion inhibitors. © 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z