Research Projects

The project proposal aims to isolate nanocellulose from coconut waste and develop nanocellulose reinforced green composites using biodegradable polymers for biomedical applications. This green nanocomposite can replace major petroleum-based polymers, keeping the ecosystem safe and sustainable. The nanocellulose is isolated through chemical extraction and purified to improve its properties. The nanocellulose is analyzed using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis, X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, EDAX, and Thermogravimetric analysis. The nanocellulose is added to PLA and PBAT matrix at different weight percent, and the green composites are prepared using solution casting, melt processing, and insitu polymerization methods. The effect of nanocellulose concentration and methods on the composites' morphological, mechanical, thermal, and optical properties will be studied. The expected outcome of this project is waste reduction, environment safety, and potential applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, antimicrobial membranes, scaffolds, biosensors, and diagnostics. The composites can also be used to 3D print tissues or mimic organs in miniature scale for medical research. The proposed composites are promising materials for biomedical applications, making them a promising material for the future.