Solar-Responsive Photo-Thermal Polymer Composites with Carbon Nanostructures for On-Demand Water Purification

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 06 | Page : 199 209
    By

    M. Dhanalakshmi,

  • Weiwei Jiang,

  • S. UmaMaheswara Reddy,

  • S. Arun Kumar,

  • Deobarat Kumar Chandan,

  • T. Venkatamuni,

  • S. Nooray Sashmi,

  • Yagya Dutta Dwivedi,

  • Arun Chokkalingam,

  1. Post Doctoral Researcher, Lincoln Global Postdoctoral Researcher (LGPR), Lincoln University College, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
  2. Assistant Professor, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lakireddy Bali Reddy College of Engineering, Mylavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Motihari College of Engineering, Motihari, Bihar, India
  6. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V.S.B Engineering College, Karur, Tamil Nadu, India
  7. Professor, Department of Research and Innovation, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  8. Professor, Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
  9. Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The development of solar-responsive polymer nanocomposites offers a sustainable pathway for water purification. In this work, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated and systematically investigated for their mechanical, thermal, viscoelastic, and thermal transport properties. Neat PVA displayed moderate tensile strength (~38 MPa) and high elongation (~165%), whereas 1.0 wt% nanofiller loading enhanced tensile strength to ~52 MPa and modulus to ~1.3 GPa, demonstrating an optimal balance of stiffness and ductility. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed an upward shift in glass transition temperature (Tg) from ~82 °C to ~89 °C with nanofiller addition, while crystallinity decreased from ~44% in neat PVA to ~33% at 2.0 wt%, facilitating improved solar absorption. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirmed reinforcement, with storage modulus rising from ~1.2 GPa in neat PVA to ~1.8 GPa at 1.0 wt% filler, and a corresponding increase in Tg by ~6–8 °C. Thermal transport analysis (TPS) indicated a nearly threefold enhancement in conductivity (from ~0.25 to ~0.72 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹) and diffusivity (from ~0.12 to ~0.31 mm²·s⁻¹). Retention tests showed >93% stability after 10 heating–cooling cycles, confirming long-term durability. These results highlight the synergistic effect of GNP–CNT hybrid networks in tailoring heat localization, mechanical resilience, and solar-driven evaporation efficiency, establishing PVA-based carbon nanocomposites as viable candidates for on-demand solar-assisted water purification

Keywords: Nanocomposites, Thermal conductivity, Glass transition temperature, Water Purification, Mechanical resilience.

[This article belongs to Journal of Polymer and Composites ]

How to cite this article:
M. Dhanalakshmi, Weiwei Jiang, S. UmaMaheswara Reddy, S. Arun Kumar, Deobarat Kumar Chandan, T. Venkatamuni, S. Nooray Sashmi, Yagya Dutta Dwivedi, Arun Chokkalingam. Solar-Responsive Photo-Thermal Polymer Composites with Carbon Nanostructures for On-Demand Water Purification. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(06):199-209.
How to cite this URL:
M. Dhanalakshmi, Weiwei Jiang, S. UmaMaheswara Reddy, S. Arun Kumar, Deobarat Kumar Chandan, T. Venkatamuni, S. Nooray Sashmi, Yagya Dutta Dwivedi, Arun Chokkalingam. Solar-Responsive Photo-Thermal Polymer Composites with Carbon Nanostructures for On-Demand Water Purification. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(06):199-209. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=232924


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Issue 06
Received 13/10/2025
Accepted 27/10/2025
Published 07/11/2025
Publication Time 25 Days
7

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