Passion towards creating novel, beneficial and innovative products which are relevant to our society.
Expertise in Material science, Natural fibre reinforced composites, Lignocellulosic Biomass, Sustainable environment, Crystal Growth.
FUTURE PROJECTS
Projects based on Natural fibre reinforced composites , Biocomposites from natural waste, Lignocellulosic biomass
Applications Invited
19
Scopus Publications
295
Scholar Citations
8
Scholar h-index
8
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Comparative experimental analysis on an eco-friendly sodium carbonate- and alkali treated butea parviflora fibers for green composites: Unveiling of mechanical, microstructural morphological, chemical, thermal, and acoustical properties M. Abisha, Krishna Prakash Arunachalam, Krishna Priya Retnam, Shubham Sharma, N. Beemkumar, Abinash Mahapatro, V.K. Bupesh Raja, Deepak Gupta, Krishnaraj Ramaswamy Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2025 Natural fiber-based materials are gaining importance due to their light weight, renewability, and adequate strength, making them attractive alternatives to synthetic fibers. In this study, Butea parviflora (BP) fibers were treated with alkali (KOH) and eco-friendly sodium carbonate (Na 2 CO 3 ) to enhance performance. The treated fibers were characterized for density, crystallinity, spectroscopic, morphological, tensile, and thermal properties. KOH-treated fibers showed lower density (1.34 g/cc) and higher crystallinity (84%) compared to Na 2 CO 3 -treated fibers (1.41 g/cc; 71%). SEM images confirmed increased surface roughness, favoring better matrix adhesion. Improved tensile strength and modulus were observed for alkali-treated fibers, while thermal analysis revealed stability up to ∼230 °C. Thermal conductivity was found to be ∼0.020-0.021 W/mK. Epoxy composites reinforced with BP fibers demonstrated enhanced mechanical and sound absorption behavior. This work highlights the potential of BP fibers as sustainable reinforcements, though research gaps remain in long-term durability, moisture resistance, and large-scale processing. Future studies should address these aspects to expand industrial applications in automotive, construction, and acoustic materials.
Effect of Alkali and Permanganate Treatments on Terminalia catappa Leaf Fibers: Efficient Reinforcements to Be Used in Eco-Friendly Composites S. Anne Kavitha, Krishna Priya Retnam, Krishna Prakash Arunachalam, Mohamed Abbas, Cecilia Bustos Ávila, Siva Avudaiappan ACS Omega, 2025 Natural fiber-reinforced composites could be obtained by utilizing agricultural wastes, fallen leaves, or abandoned materials as reinforcements after their usage as a way to reduce environmental impacts such as to stop deforestation, i.e., cutting down of plants and trees for their fibers, and in waste management, which includes recyling of natural wastes and minimizing the use of nonbiodegradable synthetic composites by replacing it with their natural fiber counterparts. As an outcome, leaves from a Terminalia catappa (Tc) tree grown in the Kanyakumari district that falls off in large quantities throughout the winter are gathered and examined. The leaves are treated with NaOH and KMnO4. In this investigation, all three powdered samples (raw, alkali treated, and permanganate treated Tc leaf fibers) are sent to chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDAX), thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), and carbon hydrogen nitrogen sulfur (CHNS) analysis. The results of the research showed that the powdered Tc leaf samples had high levels of cellulose (≈ 50%), crystallinity index (≈ 50–65%), and crystallite size (≈ 3 nm). There are various vibrational bands associated with them. The rough surface of the raw and treated Tc powder samples and their particle size (≈ 50–100 μm), as revealed by the SEM images, might aid in good adherence with the matrix. According to EDAX and CHNS analyses, there is a high carbon content in all of the samples. The fibers have an activation energy (≈ 55–60 kJ/mol) and maximum temperature limit (≈ 500 °C) that are comparable to many other natural fibers. The density of Tc leaf fibers (≈ 0.2 g/cm3) is very low and so could be used in lightweight composite applications. The chemical treatments enhanced the qualities of Tc fibers to a certain extent. In various polymers, rubber, or concrete matrices where the inclusion of natural fiber reinforcement is desired, all three samples could function as potential reinforcements.
Experimental investigation on strengthening of Zea mays root fibres for biodegradable composite materials using potassium permanganate treatment S. Anne Kavitha, Retnam Krishna Priya, Krishna Prakash Arunachalam, Siva Avudaiappan, Erick I. Saavedra Flores, David Blanco Scientific Reports, 2024 Humans are the only species who generate waste materials that cannot be broken down by natural processes. The ideal solution to this waste problem would be to employ only compostable materials. Biodegradable materials play a key role in creating a safer and greener world. Biodegradability is the gift that keeps on giving, in the sense of creating an Earth worth living. The future is thus best served by green energy, sustainability, and renewable resources. To realize such goals, waste should be considered as a valuable resource. In this context, Zea mays (Zm) root fibres, which are normally considered as agricultural waste, can be used as reinforcing substances in polymer matrices to produce structural composite materials. Before being used in composites, such fibres must be analysed for their physical properties. Chemical treatments can be employed to improve the structural quality of fibres, and the changes due to such modification can be analysed. Therefore, the current work examines the effect of permanganate treatment on the surface properties of Zm fibres. The raw and potassium permanganate-treated samples were assayed for various properties. Physical analysis of the fibre samples yielded details concerning the physical aspects of the fibres. The thermal conductivity and moisture absorption behaviour of the samples were analysed. Chemical analysis was employed to characterize the composition of both treated and untreated samples. p-XRD was employed to examine the crystalline nature of the Zm fibres. Numerous functional groups present in each sample were analysed by FTIR. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the thermal stability of Zm fibres. Elemental analysis (CHNS and EDS) was used to determine the elemental concentrations of both raw and treated samples. The surface alterations of Zm fibres brought on by treatment were described using SEM analysis. The characteristics of Zm roots and the changes in quality due to treatment were reviewed, and there were noticeable effects due to the treatment. Both samples would have applications in various fields, and each could be used as a potential reinforcing material in the production of efficient bio-composites.
Green Supercapacitors R. Priya, S. Sonia Sustainable Supercapacitors Next Generation of Green Energy Storage Devices, 2024 Recent research on green renewable materials for energy storage provides humanity with a dependable hope for a pollutant-free green world free of conventional fossil fuels. Because of their good properties such as rapid charge/discharge rate, environmentally safe, long life span, and low cost, supercapacitors are emerging as a viable option among existing energy storage devices. This overview focuses on the general information of supercapacitors, supercapacitor applications, the future of supercapacitors, the importance of supercapacitors in our lives, the role of metal–organic framework in supercapacitors, and the most recent trend in the field of supercapacitors, which shows a new perspective into all green supercapacitors charge storing devices.
Current Status of Sustainable Supercapacitors R. Priya, S. Sonia Sustainable Supercapacitors Next Generation of Green Energy Storage Devices, 2024 An essential tool for tackling the problem of power restriction in renewable power sources and storage of electricity is the supercapacitor. It is essential to develop novel materials for electrodes and prepare them for usage in energy storage applications. The electrode material must have a significant area of surface-to-volume ratio in order to attain considerable energy storage densities. The material used for electrodes must also be extremely conductive for successful charge transfer. Several novel materials that can be used to boost the capacitance of supercapacitors have been developed in recent years. This overview concentrates on the three types of supercapacitors, most recent advancements in energy storage systems, necessity of supercapacitors, current challenges, and the most current developments in the field of material preparation. It also suggests potential answers to problems that arose throughout the fabrications of supercapacitors and predicts the next path that supercapacitor researchers will pursue in the future.
Enhancing structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of Acacia pennata natural fibers through benzoyl chloride treatment for construction applications K.R. Jaya Sheeba, R. Krishna Priya, Krishna Prakash Arunachalam, Siva Avudaiappan, Erick Saavedra Flores, Pavel Kozlov Case Studies in Construction Materials, 2023 In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring natural fiber reinforced composites as potential alternatives to conventional materials in various structural applications. The aim of this study on Acacia pennata fibers (APFs) and treating them with benzoyl chloride was to explore their potential as reinforcement in construction-related materials. The aim was to investigate the physico-chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of these fibers to understand their suitability for applications in concrete reinforcement, retrofitting, roofing, and wall panels. By enhancing the understanding of the treated fibers' characteristics, this study contributes to the development of sustainable and high-performance construction materials. The fibers were extracted using both water retting and chemical retting methods. The physico-chemical properties of the fibers were assessed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, which determined a calculated crystalline index (CI) of 72.14% and a crystalline size of 2.6 nm. Thermo-gravimetric analysis was conducted to evaluate the thermal stability of the APFs, revealing a temperature of 366˚C and a maximum degradation temperature of 226.7˚C. Mechanical analysis included measurements of the APFs' tensile strength (467.86 MPa), tensile modulus (14.62 GPa), microfibrillar angle (14.79˚), and elongation at break (3.2%).The findings derived from these analyses suggest that the APFs that underwent treatment exhibit desirable mechanical characteristics, rendering them a viable option for utilization in construction-related materials like reinforcement in concrete, retrofitting, roofing and wall Pannels. This research presents a novel exploration of Acacia pennata fibers (APFs) treated with benzoyl chloride, aiming to establish their potential as reinforcements for construction materials. While natural fiber-reinforced composites have drawn interest, the unique application of APFs in construction and their treatment with benzoyl chloride to enhance properties remain relatively unexplored in the literature. This study fills a significant gap and contributes to the advancement of sustainable and high-performance construction materials by utilizing treated APFs. The results highlight the remarkable capability of these fibers to enhance the properties of composite materials in the construction industry.
Examining the physico-chemical, structural and thermo-mechanical properties of naturally occurring Acacia pennata fibres treated with KMnO4 K. R. Jaya Sheeba, Retnam Krishna Priya, Krishna Prakash Arunachalam, S. Shobana, Siva Avudaiappan, Erick Saavedra Flores Scientific Reports, 2023 Natural fiber is a viable and possible option when looking for a material with high specific strength and high specific modulus that is lightweight, affordable, biodegradable, recyclable, and eco-friendly to reinforce polymer composites. There are many methods in which natural fibres can be incorporated into composite materials. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the physico-chemical, structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of Acacia pennata fibres (APFs). Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the AP fibers' diameter and surface shape. The crystallinity index (64.47%) was discovered by XRD. The irregular arrangement and rough surface are seen in SEM photos. The findings demonstrated that fiber has high levels of cellulose (55.4%), hemicellulose (13.3%), and low levels of lignin (17.75%), which were determined through chemical analysis and validated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). By using FTIR, the functional groups of the isolated AP fibers were examined, and TG analysis was used to look into the thermal degrading behaviour of the fibers treated with potassium permanganate (KMnO4) Due to their low density (520 kg/m3) and high cellulose content (55.4%), they have excellent bonding qualities. Additionally, tensile tests were used for mechanical characterisation to assess their tensile strength (685 MPa) and elongation.
Investigating the Mechanical, Thermal, and Crystalline Properties of Raw and Potassium Hydroxide Treated Butea Parviflora Fibers for Green Polymer Composites Abisha Mohan, Retnam Krishna Priya, Krishna Prakash Arunachalam, Siva Avudaiappan, Nelson Maureira-Carsalade, Angel Roco-Videla Polymers, 2023 The only biotic factor that can satisfy the needs of human species are plants. In order to minimize plastic usage and spread an immediate require of environmental awareness, the globe urges for the development of green composite materials. Natural fibers show good renewability and sustainability and are hence utilized as reinforcements in polymer matrix composites. The present work concerns on the usage of Butea parviflora fiber (BP), a green material, for high end applications. The study throws light upon the characterization of raw and potassium hydroxide (KOH)–treated Butea Parviflora plant, where its physical, structural, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties are analyzed using the powder XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, FESEM micrographs, tensile testing, Tg-DTA, Thermal conductivity, Chemical composition, and CHNS analysis. The density values of untreated and KOH-treated fibers are 1.238 g/cc and 1.340 g/cc, respectively. The crystallinity index of the treated fiber has significantly increased from 83.63% to 86.03%. The cellulose content of the treated fiber also experienced a substantial increase from 58.50% to 60.72%. Treated fibers exhibited a reduction in both hemicelluloses and wax content. Spectroscopic studies registered varying vibrations of functional groups residing on the fibers. SEM images distinguished specific changes on the raw and treated fiber surfaces. The Availability of elements Carbon, Nitrogen, and Hydrogen were analyzed using the CHNS studies. The tensile strength and modulus of treated fibers has risen to 192.97 MPa and 3.46 Gpa, respectively. Thermal conductivity (K) using Lee’s disc showed a decrement in the K values of alkalized BP. The activation energy Ea lies between 55.95 and 73.15 kJ/mol. The fibers can withstand a good temperature of up to 240 °C, presenting that it can be tuned in for making sustainable composites.
A mini-review on carbon nanomaterials, electro polymers, and metal oxides based electrochemical sensors for cysteamine R Rejithamol, S Adwaitha, G Darsana, R Lincy, HS Keerthana, A Parvathi, ... AIP Conference Proceedings 2901 (1), 020001 , 2023 2023
Enhancing structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of Acacia pennata natural fibers through benzoyl chloride treatment for construction applications KRJ Sheeba, RK Priya, KP Arunachalam, S Avudaiappan, ES Flores, ... Case Studies in Construction Materials 19, e02443 , 2023 2023 Citations: 46
Investigating the mechanical, thermal, and crystalline properties of raw and potassium hydroxide treated butea parviflora fibers for green polymer composites A Mohan, RK Priya, KP Arunachalam, S Avudaiappan, ... Polymers 15 (17), 3522 , 2023 2023 Citations: 11
Biodegradable Green Composites: Effects of Potassium Permanganate (KMnO 4 ) Treatment on Thermal, Mechanical, and Morphological Behavior of Butea … M Abisha, RK Priya, KP Arunachalam, S Avudaiappan, ... Polymers 15 (9), 2197 , 2023 2023 Citations: 53
Investigation on properties of raw and alkali treated novel cellulosic root fibres of zea mays for polymeric composites SA Kavitha, RK Priya, KP Arunachalam, S Avudaiappan, ... Polymers 15 (7), 1802 , 2023 2023 Citations: 59
Characterization of alkali treated Nelumbo nucifera fiber and properties of its reinforced composite AH Elango, KV Kumar, TG Loganathan, RK Priya, S Shobana, ... Journal of Natural Fibers 19 (13), 4949-4963 , 2022 2022 Citations: 14
Toilet Odour Detection Using Fuzzy Logic Technique CS Manigandaa, VA Kumar, M Nabeel, AK Sabai, R Selvalingeshwaran, ... 2022 Third International Conference on Intelligent Computing Instrumentation … , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
A novel method of corporation water distribution to smart city with IoT devises based on survey R Priya, S Gavaskar Information and Communication Technology for Competitive Strategies (ICTCS … , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Illegal fishing, anomalous vessel behavior detection through automatic identification system TS Shanthi, L Dheepanbalaji, R Priya, VDA Kumar, A Kumar, P Sindhu, ... Materials Today: Proceedings 62, 4685-4690 , 2022 2022 Citations: 21
Mechanical and tribological properties of TiC nano particles reinforced polymer matrix composites A Jayanthi, RK Priya, R Surakasi, JP Vanam, G Puthilibai, ... Materials Today: Proceedings 59, 1472-1477 , 2022 2022 Citations: 39
Fabrication and modeling of prototype bike silencer using hybrid glass and chicken feather fiber/hydroxyapatite reinforced epoxy composites DD Nguyen, M Vadivel, S Shobana, S Arvindnarayan, J Dharmaraja, ... Progress in Organic Coatings 148, 105871 , 2020 2020 Citations: 26
Case Studies in Construction Materials AM Ashteyat, RH Haddad, YT Obaidat 2018
EMBEDDED CONTROLLER BASED ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES T Shanthi, R Priya 2016
Growth and characterization of succinic acid doped zinc sulphate single crystals L Thai, S Ajitha, RK Priya, SM Delphine Archives of Applied Science Research 8 (11), 12-18 , 2016 2016 Citations: 5
Synthesis, growth and structural characterization of semi organic non-linear optical material: l-arginine doped zinc sulphate heptahydrate single crystal RK Priya, SM Delphine, S Shobana Asian Journal of Chemistry 27 (2), 582 , 2015 2015 Citations: 2
Screening and molecular characterization of Bacillus sp PR01 for the production of protease enzyme R Priya, R Vasuki Int. Res. J. Pharm 5 (3), 191-194 , 2014 2014 Citations: 2
Effect of L-Histidine in Magnesium sulphate crystals S Ajitha, RK Priya, TLA Thai, SM Delphine Archives of Physics Research 5 (3), 1-5 , 2014 2014 Citations: 2
Growth and Characterization of L-Histidine doped Ammonium Sulphate Crystals S Ajitha, RK Priya, TLA Thai, SM Delphine Archives of Physics Research 5 (2), 9-13 , 2014 2014 Citations: 1
Growth and characterization of L-histidine doped copper sulphate crystals SM Delphine, RK Priya, TLA Thai, S Ajitha Archives of Applied Science Research 6 (4), 157-161 , 2014 2014 Citations: 5
Structural, Spectral And Optical Characterization Of Calcium Barium Tartrate Crystals MM Freeda, RK Priya, TH Freeda, SM Delphine Optics: Phenomena, Materials, Devices, and Characterization: Optics 2011 … , 2011 2011
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Investigation on properties of raw and alkali treated novel cellulosic root fibres of zea mays for polymeric composites SA Kavitha, RK Priya, KP Arunachalam, S Avudaiappan, ... Polymers 15 (7), 1802 , 2023 2023 Citations: 59
Biodegradable Green Composites: Effects of Potassium Permanganate (KMnO 4 ) Treatment on Thermal, Mechanical, and Morphological Behavior of Butea … M Abisha, RK Priya, KP Arunachalam, S Avudaiappan, ... Polymers 15 (9), 2197 , 2023 2023 Citations: 53
Enhancing structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of Acacia pennata natural fibers through benzoyl chloride treatment for construction applications KRJ Sheeba, RK Priya, KP Arunachalam, S Avudaiappan, ES Flores, ... Case Studies in Construction Materials 19, e02443 , 2023 2023 Citations: 46
Mechanical and tribological properties of TiC nano particles reinforced polymer matrix composites A Jayanthi, RK Priya, R Surakasi, JP Vanam, G Puthilibai, ... Materials Today: Proceedings 59, 1472-1477 , 2022 2022 Citations: 39
Fabrication and modeling of prototype bike silencer using hybrid glass and chicken feather fiber/hydroxyapatite reinforced epoxy composites DD Nguyen, M Vadivel, S Shobana, S Arvindnarayan, J Dharmaraja, ... Progress in Organic Coatings 148, 105871 , 2020 2020 Citations: 26
Illegal fishing, anomalous vessel behavior detection through automatic identification system TS Shanthi, L Dheepanbalaji, R Priya, VDA Kumar, A Kumar, P Sindhu, ... Materials Today: Proceedings 62, 4685-4690 , 2022 2022 Citations: 21
Characterization of alkali treated Nelumbo nucifera fiber and properties of its reinforced composite AH Elango, KV Kumar, TG Loganathan, RK Priya, S Shobana, ... Journal of Natural Fibers 19 (13), 4949-4963 , 2022 2022 Citations: 14
Investigating the mechanical, thermal, and crystalline properties of raw and potassium hydroxide treated butea parviflora fibers for green polymer composites A Mohan, RK Priya, KP Arunachalam, S Avudaiappan, ... Polymers 15 (17), 3522 , 2023 2023 Citations: 11
Epiphtyic foraminifera and its relation to algae in the Palk Bay off Rameshwaram V Kumar, V Manivannan, R Priya Proc. XV , 1998 1998 Citations: 6
Growth and characterization of succinic acid doped zinc sulphate single crystals L Thai, S Ajitha, RK Priya, SM Delphine Archives of Applied Science Research 8 (11), 12-18 , 2016 2016 Citations: 5
Growth and characterization of L-histidine doped copper sulphate crystals SM Delphine, RK Priya, TLA Thai, S Ajitha Archives of Applied Science Research 6 (4), 157-161 , 2014 2014 Citations: 5
Toilet Odour Detection Using Fuzzy Logic Technique CS Manigandaa, VA Kumar, M Nabeel, AK Sabai, R Selvalingeshwaran, ... 2022 Third International Conference on Intelligent Computing Instrumentation … , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Synthesis, growth and structural characterization of semi organic non-linear optical material: l-arginine doped zinc sulphate heptahydrate single crystal RK Priya, SM Delphine, S Shobana Asian Journal of Chemistry 27 (2), 582 , 2015 2015 Citations: 2
Screening and molecular characterization of Bacillus sp PR01 for the production of protease enzyme R Priya, R Vasuki Int. Res. J. Pharm 5 (3), 191-194 , 2014 2014 Citations: 2
Effect of L-Histidine in Magnesium sulphate crystals S Ajitha, RK Priya, TLA Thai, SM Delphine Archives of Physics Research 5 (3), 1-5 , 2014 2014 Citations: 2
A novel method of corporation water distribution to smart city with IoT devises based on survey R Priya, S Gavaskar Information and Communication Technology for Competitive Strategies (ICTCS … , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Growth and Characterization of L-Histidine doped Ammonium Sulphate Crystals S Ajitha, RK Priya, TLA Thai, SM Delphine Archives of Physics Research 5 (2), 9-13 , 2014 2014 Citations: 1
A mini-review on carbon nanomaterials, electro polymers, and metal oxides based electrochemical sensors for cysteamine R Rejithamol, S Adwaitha, G Darsana, R Lincy, HS Keerthana, A Parvathi, ... AIP Conference Proceedings 2901 (1), 020001 , 2023 2023
Case Studies in Construction Materials AM Ashteyat, RH Haddad, YT Obaidat 2018
EMBEDDED CONTROLLER BASED ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES T Shanthi, R Priya 2016