Dr. Sajna V P
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
P S M O College, Tirurangadi
Malappuram, Kerala, 676306
Email: sajna@psmocollege.ac.in, sajnavp88@gmail.com
Mob: 9497463743
ACADEMIC CHRONICLE
2012-2011 PhD., Plastic Technology
Thesis title: Influence of Fiber Treatment and Additives on the Properties of Banana Fiber Reinforced Poly (Lactic Acid) Biocomposites), Anna University, Chennai, & Laboratory for Advanced Research in Polymeric Materials, Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
2011 NET
Chemical Science, All India Rank 41, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, India.
2008-2010 M. Sc., Polymer Chemistry
MES KVM College Valanchery, University of Calicut, Kerala, India. Thesis title: In Situ Synthesis and Characterization of Polypyrrole-Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanocomposite Materials with Uniformly Dispersed Copper Sulphide Nanoparticles), 74% Mark, University Second Rank.
2005-2008 B. Sc., Chemistry Unity Women’s College Manjeri, University of Calicut, Kerala, India. 85.5% Mark
2003-2005 Plus Two (Science) GHSS Mankada, 76% Mark
2003 SSLC GHSS Mankada, 83.3% Mark
AREAS OF INTEREST
● Biopolymer
● Biocomposites
● Natural Fiber
● Nanocomposites
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE Ph. D. WORK DONE
Title of the Thesis: Influence of Fiber Treatment and Additives on the Properties of Banana Fiber Reinforced Poly (Lactic Acid) Biocomposites).
Ph D Supervisor: Prof. (Dr) Sanjay K Nayak
In recent years, the development of biopolymers has led to their rapid growth, particularly in the area of automobiles and construction due to its comparable thermo-mechanical properties to petroleum based resins. Among the biopolymers, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) has attained great commercial interest in the polymer industry due to its outstanding mechanical properties and biodegradability. However, brittleness along with high cost restricts their use in a wide range of applications. Hence, the modification of PLA through innovative technology is a challenge for material scientists. Reinforcement with natural fibers and nanoclay or by blending with other biodegradable materials, to prepare fully biodegradable composite have proven to be an effective way to reduce cost and brittleness of PLA. During my research, I have focused to improve the properties of the PLA by modifying with several fillers. My research broadly divided into three steps:
1. Surface modification of banana fiber using different methods.
2. Preparation and characterization of biocomposites and bionanocomposites of PLA reinforced with fiber and nanoclay. The effects of surface modification of fiber and loading of fiber as well as nanoclay on the various properties of banana fiber reinforced PLA biocomposites have been investigated.
3. Synthesis of poly (lactic acid)-grafted-glycidyl methacrylate graft copolymer to use as compatibilizer in biocomposites and bionanocomposites of PLA. The synergistic effect of graft copolymer on the properties of PLA/fiber biocomposites and PLA/fiber/nanoclay bionanocomposites were systematically investigated.
CONFERENCES PAPER/POSTER PRESENTATION
· ‘’Influence of nanoclay and graft copolymer on thermo-mechanical performance of fiber reinforced poly (lactic acid) biocomposites’’, National seminar on Medicinal Chemistry (NSMC-2017), 24-25 July 2017, Unity women’s College Manjeri, Kerala.
· Effect of polylactide-g-glycidyl methacrylate on the hybrid bionanocomposite of polylactic acid:- synthesis and characterization, International Conference on Advancements in Polymeric Materials-2015, 20-22 Feb 2015, Bangalore, India.
· Characterization of hybrid green nanocomposites of polylactic acid/banana fibre biocomposites reinforced with nanoclay, International Conference on Advancements in Polymeric Materials, 14-16 Feb 2014, Bhubaneswar, India.
· Polylactic acid/Banana fiber/Nanoclay Bionanocomposites: Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Characterization, Asian Workshop on Polymer Processing (AWPP), 8-11 Dec 2013, Goa, India.
· Thermal and mechanical stability of bionanocomposites of polylactic acid: Correlation of activation energy with thermal degradation, International Conference on Advanced Polymeric Materials, (ICAPM), 11-13 Oct 2013, MG University, Kottayam, India.
· Natural Fiber Based Green Composites : A Review, International Conference on Advancements in Polymeric Materials, 10-12 February 2012, CIPET, Ahmadabad, India.
CONFERENCES PARTICIPATION
· International Conference on Advancements in Polymeric Materials, 12-14 February 2016, CIPET, Ahmadabad, India.
· International Conference on Biomaterials, 27-30 Oct 2014, New Delhi, India.
· International Conference on Natural Polymers (ICNP), Oct 2012, M G University, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
PAPERS PUBLISHED IN INTERNATIONAL JOURNALS
Ø Sajna, VP, Mohanty, S & Nayak, SK (2014), Hybrid green nanocomposites of poly (lactic acid) reinforced with banana fibre and nanoclay, Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, vol.33, no.18, pp. 1717-1732 (IF:1.18)
Ø Sajna, VP, Mohanty, S & Nayak, SK (2014), Fabrication and characterization of bionanocomposites based on poly (lactic acid), banana fiber and nanoclay, International Journal of Plastic Engineering and Technology, DOI: 10.1007/s12588-014-9088-6 (IF:0.35)
Ø Sajna, VP, Mohanty, S & Nayak, SK (2015), Moisture absorption behaviour of hybrid bionanocomposites of poly (lactic acid) and evaluation of physicochemical properties, Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol. 30, Issue 4, pp. 521–544. (IF:0.93)
Ø Sajna, VP, Mohanty, S & Nayak, SK, (2015), A study on Thermal Degradation Kinetics and Flammability Properties of Poly (lactic acid)/Banana Fiber/Nanoclay Hybrid Bionanocomposites, Polymer Composites, Vol. 38, Issue10, pp 2067-2079. (IF:2.324)
Ø Sajna, VP, Mohanty, S & Nayak, SK, (2016), Effect of Poly(lactic acid)-graft-Glycidyl Methacrylate as a compatibilizer on Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Banana fiber Biocomposites, Polymers for Advanced Technologies, Vol. 27, Issue 4, pp 515-524. (IF:1.907)
Ø Sajna, VP, Mohanty, S & Nayak, SK, (2016), Influence of Nanoclay and Graft Copolymer on the Thermal and Flammability Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Banana Fiber Biocomposites, Journal of Vinyl and Additives Technology, DOI: 10.1002/vnl.21556. (IF:1.558)
Ø Sajna, VP, Mohanty, S & Nayak, SK, (2016), Weathering and Biodegradation Study on Graft Copolymer Compatibilized Hybrid bionanocomposites of Poly (lactic acid), Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, Vol.25, Issue 7, pp 2895–2906. (IF:1.331)
ACADEMIC AWARD
Ø GATE 2011 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering), Score 90%
Ø Won second prize for the best poster presentation on Asian Workshop on Polymer processing (AWPP- 2013) at Goa.
RESEARCH & TECHNICAL SKILL
Ø Having adequate knowledge to handle the following sophisticated instruments for the preparation and characterization of polymer composites and nanocomposites; and fiber reinforced polymer composites and nanocomposites:
- Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
- Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
- Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC).
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA).
- Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy.
- Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA).
- Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT).
- Compression Molding Machine.
- Injection Molding Machine
- Batch Mixer