Polymers and Plastics, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Waste Management and Disposal, Surfaces, Coatings and Films
79
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Characterization of biomass based novel microcrystalline cellulose from Eucalyptus teriticornis leaf P. Senthamaraikannan, Narayana Perumal Sunesh, Divya Divakaran, Yamuna Munusamy, Indran Suyambulingam, R. Kumar Scientific Reports, 2026 Environmental protection is the key impetus for research into the utilisation of weeds derived from plants in this sector. Waste materials exhibit a wide range of potential uses, particularly following the recycling procedure. The study’s methodology included the leaves of eucalyptus plants growing on trees. To enhance the efficacy of cellulose extraction from waste, many chemical processes may be employed, including bleaching, neutralisation, alkalization, slow pyrolysis, and acid hydrolysis. Fourier transform spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction analysis were all employed in order to obtain additional data regarding the separated cellulose. The crystalline size of the cellulose powder that was extracted was determined to be 9.81 nm, and it had a significant crystallinity index of 70.34%. When subjected to scanning electron microscopy, a spherical and abrasive surface is detected. As seen by the differential thermogram curve, the highest temperature at which deterioration takes place is 321.50 °C. The micro-sized particles, which have a diameter between 150 and 220 μm on average, are identified by using ImageJ. The extracted Eucalyptus teriticornis leaves cellulose’s density is 1.513 g/cm 3 . The yield percentage was exceptionally ordinary as 48.04%. Therefore, by improving its qualities, cellulose might potentially gain more viability for future uses.
Toward sustainable polymer composites: Synergetic effects of surface-treated Mimusops elengi seed shell powder on polypropylene properties Yamuna Munusamy, Mathialagan Muniyadi, Wuan Chien Tan, Akram Fadhl Al-mahmodi, Indran Suyambulingam Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 2026 The increased demand for non-renewable, petroleum-based plastics and their negative impacts on human and environmental sustainability has led researchers to develop bio-composites to make eco-friendly materials from renewable and natural resources. These materials minimize plastic manufacturing carbon footprints while performing well. In this study, NaOH treatment of Mimusops elengi seed shell powder (MESSP) affects density, chemical functionality and composition, surface shape, and thermal degradation. It also examines the properties of polypropylene (PP) composites incorporating untreated and NaOH-treated MESSP, with sodium hydroxide concentrations ranging from 5 to 8 wt%. A series of PP composites containing untreated and NaOH-treated MESSP, with filler loadings varied between 0 and 20 wt%, was produced via melt mixing method in an internal mixer. MESSP particle treatment with 5 wt% NaOH effectively enhanced the chemical functionality, cellulose content, and particle morphology as confirmed through FTIR and SEM analysis. The treatment of MESSP resulted in a noticeable reduction of hydroxyl (OH) functional groups, confirming a decrease in its hydrophilicity. Morphological analysis revealed increased porosity in the treated MESSP and improved adhesion of the PP matrix to MESSP. At 15 wt% loading (optimum), PP/TMESSP composite exhibited 30% and 28% enhancement in tensile strength and impact strength, respectively compared with PP/MESSP composite. Since they absorbed less water than PP/MESSP composites, PP/TMESSP composites had superior water absorption resistance. This study could lead to eco-friendly polymeric materials for packaging, automobile, and construction.
Predictive modeling of thermal conductivity in PCM composites using artificial Intelligence Akram Fadhl Al-mahmodi, Yamuna Munusamy, Mahmood Riyadh Atta Sustainable Chemistry for Climate Action, 2025 Phase change materials (PCMs) are widely used in thermal energy storage (TES) systems due to their high latent heat capacity, yet their inherently low thermal conductivity restricts practical performance. While conductive fillers have been employed to improve heat transfer, identifying suitable filler–PCM systems remains a challenging and resource-intensive process. In this study, we apply and compare several machine learning models, including Linear Regression, Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and Artificial Neural Network (ANN), to predict the thermal conductivity of PCM composites. The models were trained on an extensive dataset compiled from the literature and assessed using statistical metrics and residual analyses. Among them, the ANN model achieved the highest predictive accuracy (R² ≈ 0.97) with residuals closely centered around zero, demonstrating strong generalization capability. The analysis further reveals that filler concentration and testing temperature are the most influential variables governing thermal conductivity. These findings highlight the potential of machine learning approaches as efficient computational tools for guiding the design and optimization of PCM composites, ultimately supporting their integration into advanced thermal management and sustainable energy applications.
Industry 5.0 adaptation for disability-inclusive healthcare: A review of emergent and AI technologies for assistive digital health Mohamed Kchaou, Yamuna Munusamy, Khalid Ayed Alharthi, Akram Fadhl Al-mahmodi Digital Health, 2025 Industry 5.0 is reshaping healthcare through human-centric design, sustainability, and advanced technologies. However, there is limited insight into how these innovations address the specific needs of people with disabilities. This review aims to examine the role of emerging and AI-driven technologies in enabling disability-inclusive digital healthcare solutions. A comprehensive scoping review was conducted, focusing on studies published in recent years on Industry 5.0 technologies applied to disability-inclusive digital healthcare pathways. Key technologies reviewed include collaborative robotics, virtual reality, telemedicine, and human-centered artificial intelligence. Relevant case studies and ethical considerations were also analysed. The analysis highlighted that Industry 5.0 technologies show promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, personalization, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Applications include remote assessments, assistive tools, and adaptive interfaces that improve diagnostic processes. Despite this progress, integration of these technologies remains fragmented, and challenges such as ethical concerns, regulatory barriers, and inclusive design persist. This review uniquely synthesizes these technologies within the framework of Industry 5.0, offering a broader perspective than prior single-technology reviews and proposing a roadmap for the successful implementation that incorporates training, regulatory alignment, interdisciplinary collaboration, social-economic barriers, real-world evidence, and inclusivity across disability types. As conclusion, Industry 5.0 holds significant promise for advancing disability-inclusive digital healthcare. Realizing this potential, however, requires coordinated efforts to address integration gaps, strengthen ethical and regulatory frameworks, and embed user-centered co-design principles. Future research should focus on more developing inclusive, and sustainable diagnostic solutions aligned with Industry 5.0 principles.
Recovery of Nitrogen and Phosphorus as Nutrients From Wastewater Using Sorbents and Its Potential Reutilization as a Soil Conditioner: A Review Jun Jie Lim, Sumathi Sethupathi, Nor Ismaliza Mohd Ismail, Yamuna Munusamy Water Environment Research, 2025 Wastewater treatment is crucial to ensure environmental sustainability and the availability of clean water for human consumption. It is of utmost importance that the valuable nutrients in the wastewater are recovered. Recently, many researchers have made interesting discoveries using green waste or minerals to treat wastewater and recover nutrients from wastewater. Nutrients which encourage eutrophication of water resources, such as nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, and phosphorus, are the common ones being explored. The nutrients are adsorbed on sorbents, which are recycled from waste and biodegradable material. Upon adsorption of nutrients, the spent sorbents are categorized as green and eco‐friendly material which can be further utilized as a soil conditioner. Thus, this review discussed different types of sorbents and its respective efficacy towards nutrient adsorption and feasibility to be recycled as soil conditioner. Factors affecting the performance of the sorbents were detailed and comparisons were made for the best application as soil conditioner. Suggestion was outlined for future focus areas in this work and potential future application in real case scenarios. This review would be beneficial to researchers to achieve a cradle‐to‐cradle concept for wastewater nutrient recovery.Summary Recovery of phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater using sustainable adsorbents Adsorption efficiency of adsorbents aligning with cradle‐to‐cradle concept Insights into the advantages and limitations of reported adsorbents Spent adsorbents as soil conditioners, enhancing soil fertility, structure, and promoting sustainable nutrient recycling
Adsorption of reactive black 5 dye using eggshell waste supported by Fe2O3: An equilibrium isotherms study Akram Fadhl Al-mahmodi, Mahmood Riyadh Atta, Yamuna Munusamy, Baker Nasser Saleh Al-dhawi Chemical Thermodynamics and Thermal Analysis, 2025 • The combination of Fe 2 O 3 with eggshell waste was clearly synthesized and characterized. • Fe 2 O 3 supported on eggshell waste is an effective method for removing reactive black 5 dye from wastewater. • The optimum isothermal adsorption was described at equilibrium condition by the linear forms of Langmuir with high regression coefficient of R 2 =0.996. • The maximum adsorption capacity was identified as 250 mg/g. Annually, the textile industry discharges thousands of tons of non-dissolved dyes into water bodies, presenting significant environmental challenges. Eggshell waste has emerged as a valuable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly adsorbent for addressing these issues. This study investigates the adsorption of Reactive Black 5 dye using eggshell waste supported by Fe 2 O 3 , focusing on equilibrium isotherms to evaluate the adsorption capacity. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR and BET analyses, revealing the spherical morphology and substantial surface area of Fe 2 O 3 , which contributed to enhanced adsorption efficiency. XRD confirmed the crystalline structure of the eggshell waste. Adsorption data fit best with the Langmuir isotherm model, demonstrating a maximum adsorption capacity of 250 mg/g for the removal of Reactive Black 5 dye. The combination of eggshell waste with Fe 2 O 3 presents an efficient and sustainable solution for dye removal from wastewater, promoting both environmental protection and the reutilization of waste materials.
Bio mineral fillers reinforced polymer composites Yamuna Munusamy, Sumathi Sethupathi, Hanafi Ismail, Zunaida Zakaria Mineral Filled Polymer Composites Perspectives Properties and New Materials, 2022
The effect of organoclay dispersion on the thermal stability and flammability of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/natural rubber (SMR L)/organoclay nanocomposite: A microscopy approach Malaysian Journal of Microscopy, 2010
