Nano-Silica Reinforced Crosslinked Biopolymer–PCM Composites for Improved Thermal Cycling Durability

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 01 | Page : 1 10
    By

    Narendra Pothula,

  • R. Sundar,

  • S. Shalini,

  • Karanam Suresh Babu,

  • K. Hema Latha,

  • A. Parvathi Priya,

  • Kurmana Premakumar,

  • S. Savitha,

  • Rajendiran M,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Marine Engineering, AMET University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  3. Associate Professor, Department of Physics, R.M.D. Engineering College, Kavaraipettai, Tamil Nadu, India
  4. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRKR Engineering College, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
  5. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
  6. Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, R.M.K. Engineering College, Kavaraipettai, Tamil Nadu, India
  7. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering and Technology, Etcherla, Andhra Pradesh, India
  8. Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  9. Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Crosslinked biopolymer–PCM composites reinforced with nano-silica were developed to enhance thermal cycling durability, leakage resistance, and structural stability for advanced thermal energy storage applications. A starch-based biopolymer was chemically crosslinked using citric acid to create a stable polymer network, while paraffin was employed as the phase-change medium and nano-silica (1–4 wt%) served as a multifunctional inorganic reinforcement. FTIR analysis confirmed successful esterification between citric acid and the polymer backbone, indicated by the strong C=O stretching band at 1735–1740 cm⁻¹, while the intensified Si–O–Si vibration near 1080 cm⁻¹ verified uniform incorporation of nano-silica throughout the matrix. DSC results demonstrated that the composite containing 3 wt% nano-silica exhibited the highest latent heat of fusion (~128 J/g) and superior thermal reliability, retaining approximately 94% of its energy storage capacity after 500 thermal cycles, compared with only ~78% retention in the unfilled composite. TGA analysis further revealed significant enhancement in thermal stability, with the onset degradation temperature increasing from 212 °C (0 wt%) to 241 °C for the 3 wt% nano-silica sample. SEM micrographs highlighted a clear morphological evolution from porous, crack-prone structures in the unreinforced system to dense, continuous, and uniformly integrated morphologies with well-encapsulated PCM droplets in nano-silica-reinforced composites, resulting in more than 90% leakage suppression. However, excessive filler loading (4 wt%) led to particle agglomeration, reducing microstructural uniformity and latent heat performance. Overall, the synergistic combination of chemical crosslinking and nano-silica reinforcement yielded thermally robust, leakage-resistant composites well-suited for passive thermal management and long-term energy storage applications.

Keywords: Crosslinked biopolymer, nano-silica, PCM composites, structural stability, thermal cycling

[This article belongs to Journal of Polymer & Composites ]

How to cite this article:
Narendra Pothula, R. Sundar, S. Shalini, Karanam Suresh Babu, K. Hema Latha, A. Parvathi Priya, Kurmana Premakumar, S. Savitha, Rajendiran M. Nano-Silica Reinforced Crosslinked Biopolymer–PCM Composites for Improved Thermal Cycling Durability. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1-10.
How to cite this URL:
Narendra Pothula, R. Sundar, S. Shalini, Karanam Suresh Babu, K. Hema Latha, A. Parvathi Priya, Kurmana Premakumar, S. Savitha, Rajendiran M. Nano-Silica Reinforced Crosslinked Biopolymer–PCM Composites for Improved Thermal Cycling Durability. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1-10. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=236198


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
Issue 01
Received 26/11/2025
Accepted 01/12/2025
Published 08/01/2026
Publication Time 43 Days
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