Investigation of mechanical, thermal, and tribological performance of activated carbon-glass/epoxy hybrid composites Om Prakash Minugu, Raghavendra Gujjala, Shakuntala Ojha, Deeraj Kumar Gara, Aswani Kumar Bandaru Composites Part C Open Access, 2025 The present study investigated activated carbon (AC) material, a biomass derivative, as a significant reinforcement for developing hybrid polymer composites for brake pad applications. Hybrid composites were manufactured using a simple hand lay-up technique utilizing different weight percentages of AC, silicon carbide, glass fiber (GF), and epoxy resin as constituents. This work investigated the mechanical performance, thermal stability, and wear properties of hybrid composites. Modifying composites with 2 % AC and 6 % glass fiber improved the tensile and flexural strengths by approximately 340 % and 206 %, respectively, compared to the neat epoxy. The thermogravimetric analysis suggested that incorporating AC contributed to the composites' thermal stability. Wear analysis suggested incorporating AC and GF strengthened composites for reducing two-body sliding wear. A 2 % AC and 6 % GF combination showed the maximum resistance against wear, with approximately 101 % less material loss than the pure epoxy. It also exhibited average coefficient of friction values in the range of 0.51 to 0.59 at different applied loads. The FESEM analysis of the fractured and worn surfaces of the composites revealed that fiber pull-outs and poor interfacial bonding are the primary phenomena responsible for the fracture of the composites.
Synthesis of nanochitosan from crab shells: An assessment of morphology, dye adsorption capability and antibacterial characteristics as future prospects for wastewater treatment Manoj Panchal, G Raghavendra, D Abhishek, M Om Prakash, S Ojha, Balram Yelamasetti Journal of Physics Conference Series, 2024 In current experimental study, waste crab shells were used for the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles and characterized. Preparation of chitosan nanoparticles were done through series of processes involving demineralization, deproteinization, decolouration, deacetylation, and ball milling. Chitosan nanoparticles thus obtained were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The methylene blue and methyl orange dye adsorption was conducted with the aid of UV-vis Spectroscopy. The antibacterial ability of chitosan nanoparticles were also assessed for four different bacterial strains. X-ray diffraction results support the chitosan production and the crystalline nature of the synthesized chitosan. The presence of amine and amide functional groups was verified through FTIR analysis. The degree of de-acetylation was found to be 70.24%, as calculated from FTIR analysis. Transmission Electron Microscopy images of chitosan nanoparticles revealed a fibrous and crystalline structure with molecules aligned in an antiparallel fashion. The dye adsorption test revealed the methylene dye adsorption capacity of 187.7 mg/g whereas for methyl orange it was found to be 296.40 mg/g. The chitosan nanoparticles showed good antibacterial ability against four different bacterial strain.
Effect of biomass-biochar content on the erosion wear performance of biochar epoxy composites Om Prakash Minugu, Manoj Panchal, Raghavendra Gujjala, Shakuntala Ojha, Aneta Krzyzak, Dheeraj Kumar Polymer Composites, 2022 Biomass waste processing with a potential to commercialization is always concern for achieving sustainable ecosystem. In the current work, biochar was extracted from the arhar stalks (AS) and bael shells (BS) biowaste which has carbon as major constituent. As a result, biochar in particle form has excellent mechanical and tribological properties and hence when combined with epoxy forms a composite with enhanced tribological properties. In this context, the biochar epoxy composites were prepared with three different compositions of 2, 4, and 6% wt, and characterized for adsorption and solid erosion wear studies. The adsorption studies conferred that BS biochar materials consist large Brunauer–Emmet–Teller surface area, that is, 294.3393 m2/g and pore volume of 0.13166 cm3/g comparative to AS biochar materials. It was observed from the results that BS based biochar epoxy composites displayed excellent enhancement in erosion wear resistance of about 52% comparative to pure epoxy that of AS at 2%. Alongside further increment in the composition of the biochar constituent to 4% exhibited semi ductile behavior with a peak wear rate at 45° impact angle. Applications pertaining to the realized composites in the current work is expected to meet the aerospace and automotive industries in specific.
Study of environmental behavior and its effect on solid particle erosion behavior of hierarchical porous activated carbon-epoxy composite Manoj Panchal, Om Prakash Minugu, Raghavendra Gujjala, Shakuntala Ojha, Somaiah Mallampati Chowdary, Alamgir Mohammad Polymer Composites, 2022 Abstract Porous carbon materials have versatile physical and chemical characteristics; however, these materials are not be fully exploited as reinforcements in polymer composites. The present investigation focuses on extraction of hierarchical porous carbon and its utilization in polymer composite in order to enhance the erosion wear resistance and hardness of polymer composite. The current research work also demonstrates the wear behavior of the hierarchical porous carbon epoxy composite when exposed to different environmental conditions. The attributes of hierarchical carbon have verified through different characterization techniques, further porous carbon with optimum properties has been included as reinforcement in different ratios viz. 1, 2 and 3 wt. % to make the epoxy composites. The composites were studied for their hardness, moisture absorption and erosion wear behavior at variable impingement angles (30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) and impingement velocities (101, 119, and 148 m/s). Moisture uptake results suggests that the increase in filler percentage increased the moisture absorption, and the highest moisture absorption was reported in composite immersed in saline water environment. It was observed that addition of activated carbon particles has enhanced hardness and wear resistance of the composite. Composite with 2 wt.% particulate reinforcement was found to be the optimum percentage of reinforcement which was subjected to 82.4% less material loss that is, erosion rate at 45° impact angle compared to neat polymer. From the erosion wear results it was further noticed that moisture absorption has deteriorated the erosion wear resistance of composites resulting in high material loss.
Effect of biomass derived biochar materials on mechanical properties of biochar epoxy composites Om Prakash Minugu, Raghavendra Gujjala, Ojha Shakuntala, Panchal Manoj, M Somaiah Chowdary Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part C Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 2021 In the current research work an attempt is made to utilize the ecofriendly biochar materials as reinforcements in polymer composites. Biochar materials were developed from Arhar stalks and Bael shells waste biomass by pyrolysis process and studied for different characteristics. The surface morphology, crystalline structure, fixed carbon content and elemental composition of synthesized biochar materials were studied using scanning electron microscope, x-ray diffraction and proximate analysis. The results showed that the biochar (BB) produced using Bael shells are highly amorphous in nature and have high amount of elemental carbon than arhar stalk biochar (AB). Using epoxy as matrix and biochar materials as reinforcement composites were fabricated with three different filler weight fractions i.e., 2%, 4% and 6%. The composites with 4% Bael shell biochar exhibited high tensile strength, and has 183% more strength when compared with neat epoxy. Increasing the filler percentage from 4% to 6% the strength and hardness of composites reduced due to poor interfacial bonding. Morphological studies were performed on fractured surfaces of tensile tested samples by using scanning electron microscope. From thermogravimetric analysis it was found that with the inclusion of biochar materials thermal stability of composites was significantly enhanced. 4% Bael biochar composites (BBC) exhibited higher thermal resistance which left 8% residual mass.
Experimental investigation of mechanical and erosion behavior of eggshell nanoparticulate epoxy biocomposite Manoj Panchal, G Raghavendra, A Rahul Reddy, M Omprakash, S Ojha Polymers and Polymer Composites, 2021 In the present work, the mechanical and the tribological properties of eggshell nanoparticulate epoxy biocomposite were studied. The nanoparticles of eggshell were synthesized by planetary ball milling technique. Synthesized eggshell nanoparticulate were characterized with the aid of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Fabrication of eggshell nanoparticulate epoxy biocomposite was done by hand lay-up technique with different weight percentages (1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%) of eggshell nanoparticles. To examine the solid particle erosion behavior of eggshell nanoparticulate epoxy biocomposite, four different impact angles (30°, 45°, 60°, 90°) and three different velocities (101 m s−1, 119 m s−1, 148 m s−1) were chosen. The effect of eggshell nanoparticles incorporation on the tensile properties, hardness, and the flexural properties was also investigated. The fractured surfaces of the tensile test, flexural test, and erosion test samples were examined with a SEM for morphological analysis. It was found that the eggshell nanoparticulate addition has a fruitful effect on tensile and flexural strength. The maximum tensile strength was found for 2 wt% nanoparticles addition, while the maximum flexural strength was found for 3 wt% of nanoparticles addition. The sand erosion study established a maximum wear rate at 60° of impact angle. The maximum erosion resistance was found in 2 wt% of eggshell nanoparticulate concentration.
Investigation of mechanical, thermal, and tribological performance of activated carbon-glass/epoxy hybrid composites OP Minugu, R Gujjala, S Ojha, DK Gara, AK Bandaru Composites Part C: Open Access 17, 100614 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Synthesis of nanochitosan from crab shells: an assessment of morphology, dye adsorption capability and antibacterial characteristics as future prospects for wastewater treatment M Panchal, G Raghavendra, D Abhishek, M Om Prakash, S Ojha, ... Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2837 (1), 012011 , 2024 2024
of Jute/Glass Fiber Hybrid Composites M Panchal, D Abhishek, MO Prakash Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering, Volume 1: Select Proceedings of … , 2024 2024
Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Hybrid Polymer and Hybrid Sandwich Composites V Boggarapu, R Gujjala, S Prasad, S Ojha, OP Mingu Advanced Composites, 233-267 , 2023 2023
Study of Wear analysis of chitosan epoxy polymer composites MO Prakash, H Rebelly, R Shivakoti, K Gorremuchu, D Nalla Second International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering (ICETE … , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Assessment of Mechanical Behavior of Jute/Glass Fiber Hybrid Composites Filled with Charcoal M Panchal, D Abhishek, M Om Prakash International Conference on Mechanical Engineering: Researches and … , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Case Studies on Toughened Composites for Structural and Engineering Applications DK Gara, R Gujjala, S Jain, S Ojha Toughened Composites, 179-189 , 2022 2022
Preparation and Characterization of Eggshell Particulate Pellet: As a Future Prospect for Wastewater Treatment M Panchal, G Raghavendra, M Omprakash, S Ojha Recent Trends in Product Design and Intelligent Manufacturing Systems … , 2022 2022
Effect of biomass‐biochar content on the erosion wear performance of biochar epoxy composites OP Minugu, M Panchal, R Gujjala, S Ojha, A Krzyzak, D Kumar Polymer Composites 43 (5), 3189-3203 , 2022 2022 Citations: 13
Study of environmental behavior and its effect on solid particle erosion behavior of hierarchical porous activated carbon‐epoxy composite M Panchal, OP Minugu, R Gujjala, S Ojha, S Mallampati Chowdary, ... Polymer Composites 43 (4), 2276-2287 , 2022 2022 Citations: 23
Rheology of Epoxy/Natural Fiber Composites D Gara, G Raghavendra, S Ojha, MO Prakash, PS Prasad Handbook of Epoxy/Fiber Composites, 1-36 , 2022 2022
Effect of biomass derived biochar materials on mechanical properties of biochar epoxy composites OP Minugu, R Gujjala, O Shakuntala, P Manoj, MS Chowdary Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of … , 2021 2021 Citations: 68
Experimental investigation of mechanical and erosion behavior of eggshell nanoparticulate epoxy biocomposite M Panchal, G Raghavendra, AR Reddy, M Omprakash, S Ojha Polymers and Polymer Composites 29 (7), 897-908 , 2021 2021 Citations: 57
Fabrication and characterization of silica based ceramic composite for filtration applications M Panchal, G Raghavendra, M Omprakash, S Ojha Silicon 13 (6), 1951-1960 , 2021 2021 Citations: 5
Investigation of Solid Particle Erosion Wear Behavior of Activated Carbon Polymer Composites M Sivaji Ganesh, G Raghavendra, S Ojha, M Om Prakash Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Innovative Product Design: Select … , 2021 2021
Investigation of Solid Particle Erosion MS Ganesh, G Raghavendra, S Ojha, MO Prakash Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Innovative Product Design: Select … , 2021 2021
Investigation of tribological properties of biomass developed porous nano activated carbon composites MO Prakash, G Raghavendra, S Ojha, M Panchal, D Kumar Wear 466, 203523 , 2021 2021 Citations: 43
Characterization of porous activated carbon prepared from arhar stalks by single step chemical activation method MO Prakash, G Raghavendra, S Ojha, M Panchal Materials Today: Proceedings 39, 1476-1481 , 2021 2021 Citations: 123
A review on the degradation of properties under the influence of liquid medium of hybrid polymer composites M Somaiah Chowdary, G Raghavendra, MSR Niranjan Kumar, S Ojha, ... SN Applied Sciences 2 (10), 1708 , 2020 2020 Citations: 14
Mechanical characterization of arhar biomass based porous nano activated carbon polymer composites M Om Prakash, R Gujjala, M Panchal, S Ojha Polymer Composites 41 (8), 3113-3123 , 2020 2020 Citations: 36
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Characterization of porous activated carbon prepared from arhar stalks by single step chemical activation method MO Prakash, G Raghavendra, S Ojha, M Panchal Materials Today: Proceedings 39, 1476-1481 , 2021 2021 Citations: 123
Effect of biomass derived biochar materials on mechanical properties of biochar epoxy composites OP Minugu, R Gujjala, O Shakuntala, P Manoj, MS Chowdary Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of … , 2021 2021 Citations: 68
Experimental investigation of mechanical and erosion behavior of eggshell nanoparticulate epoxy biocomposite M Panchal, G Raghavendra, AR Reddy, M Omprakash, S Ojha Polymers and Polymer Composites 29 (7), 897-908 , 2021 2021 Citations: 57
Effects of environmental conditions on erosion wear of eggshell particulate epoxy composites M Panchal, G Raghavendra, MO Prakash, S Ojha Silicon 10 (2), 627-634 , 2018 2018 Citations: 55
Investigation of tribological properties of biomass developed porous nano activated carbon composites MO Prakash, G Raghavendra, S Ojha, M Panchal, D Kumar Wear 466, 203523 , 2021 2021 Citations: 43
Mechanical characterization of arhar biomass based porous nano activated carbon polymer composites M Om Prakash, R Gujjala, M Panchal, S Ojha Polymer Composites 41 (8), 3113-3123 , 2020 2020 Citations: 36
Moisture absorption behavior of treated and untreated eggshell particulate epoxy composites M Panchal, G Raghavendra, MO Prakash, S Ojha, PS Chandra Bose Silicon 10 (3), 859-867 , 2018 2018 Citations: 27
Study of environmental behavior and its effect on solid particle erosion behavior of hierarchical porous activated carbon‐epoxy composite M Panchal, OP Minugu, R Gujjala, S Ojha, S Mallampati Chowdary, ... Polymer Composites 43 (4), 2276-2287 , 2022 2022 Citations: 23
Effects of environmental exposure on tribological properties of Arhar particulate/epoxy composites M Om Prakash, G Raghavendra, M Panchal, S Ojha, B Anji Reddy Polymer Composites 39 (9), 3102-3109 , 2018 2018 Citations: 23
Influence of distinct environment on the mechanical characteristics of Arhar fiber polymer composites MO Prakash, G Raghavendra, M Panchal, S Ojha, PS Chandra Bose Silicon 10 (3), 825-830 , 2018 2018 Citations: 21
Study of moisture absorption and its effect on erosion wear behavior of eggshell nanoparticulate epoxy composite M Panchal, G Raghavendra, PS kumar Reddy, M Omprakash, P Srikar Materials Today: Proceedings 33, 5746-5750 , 2020 2020 Citations: 17
A single step process to synthesize ordered porous carbon from coconut shells-eggshells biowaste M Panchal, G Raghavendra, S Ojha, M Omprakash, SK Acharya Materials Research Express 6 (11), 115613 , 2019 2019 Citations: 15
A review on the degradation of properties under the influence of liquid medium of hybrid polymer composites M Somaiah Chowdary, G Raghavendra, MSR Niranjan Kumar, S Ojha, ... SN Applied Sciences 2 (10), 1708 , 2020 2020 Citations: 14
Effect of biomass‐biochar content on the erosion wear performance of biochar epoxy composites OP Minugu, M Panchal, R Gujjala, S Ojha, A Krzyzak, D Kumar Polymer Composites 43 (5), 3189-3203 , 2022 2022 Citations: 13
Investigation of mechanical, thermal, and tribological performance of activated carbon-glass/epoxy hybrid composites OP Minugu, R Gujjala, S Ojha, DK Gara, AK Bandaru Composites Part C: Open Access 17, 100614 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Fabrication and characterization of silica based ceramic composite for filtration applications M Panchal, G Raghavendra, M Omprakash, S Ojha Silicon 13 (6), 1951-1960 , 2021 2021 Citations: 5
Thermogravimetric analysis of biochar from Arhar fiber powder prepared at different pyrolysis temperatures M Om Prakash, G Raghavendra, M Panchal, S Ojha Innovative Product Design and Intelligent Manufacturing Systems: Select … , 2020 2020 Citations: 5
Effect of eggshell particulate reinforcement on tensile behavior of eggshell–epoxy composite M Panchal, G Raghavendra, M Omprakash, S Ojha, B Vasavi Innovative Product Design and Intelligent Manufacturing Systems: Select … , 2020 2020 Citations: 5
Study of Wear analysis of chitosan epoxy polymer composites MO Prakash, H Rebelly, R Shivakoti, K Gorremuchu, D Nalla Second International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering (ICETE … , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Assessment of Mechanical Behavior of Jute/Glass Fiber Hybrid Composites Filled with Charcoal M Panchal, D Abhishek, M Om Prakash International Conference on Mechanical Engineering: Researches and … , 2023 2023 Citations: 1