Self-Healing Polymeric Composites Reinforced with Green Synthesized Nanoparticles

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 03 | Page :
    By

    Piyali Roy Choudhury,

  • Sandeep P Shewale,

  • Arun Kumar M,

  • Kavya N,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT Academy of Engineering, Alandi, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  3. Teaching Fellow, Department of Rubber and Plastics Technology, Anna University, MIT Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  4. Student, Department of Chemistry, Madras Christian College, East Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The development of sustainable self-healing polymeric materials is critical for enhancing durability and service life in advanced engineering applications. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO), magnesium oxide (MgO), and ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles were green-synthesized using Allium cepa extract and incorporated into epoxy-based polymeric composites to improve mechanical, thermal, and self-healing properties. This bio-based synthesis is eco-friendly and safe alternative to harsh chemical techniques, utilizing natural antioxidants to stabilize the metal ions without toxic byproducts generation. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and TGA characterization techniques, confirming successful formation, nanoscale crystallinity, microstructure and effective dispersion within the polymer matrix. SEM of the MgO nanoparticles revealed an irregular, flake-like morphology with significant agglomeration. In contrast, the ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a spherical morphology, while the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles displayed a rough, granular structure. Thermal analysis revealed a significant improvement in thermal stability, with MgO-reinforced composites exhibiting the highest resistance to thermal degradation. Mechanical testing demonstrated enhanced tensile strength for all nanocomposites, reaching a maximum of 50 MPa for MgO-filled composites compared to 30 MPa for the neat polymer. Self-healing efficiency studies showed superior recovery behavior, with MgO composites achieving 85% healing efficiency under ambient conditions, while ZnO-based composites exhibited exceptional performance under UV exposure due to their photocatalytic activity, exceeding 100% healing efficiency. The results highlight the synergistic effect of green-synthesized metal oxide nanoparticles in improving composite performance. This work demonstrates an eco-friendly and effective approach for developing high-performance self-healing polymeric materials suitable for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and protective applications.

Keywords: Self-healing polymeric composites, Green synthesis, Metal oxide nanoparticles, Allium cepa extract, UV-assisted self-healing.

How to cite this article:
Piyali Roy Choudhury, Sandeep P Shewale, Arun Kumar M, Kavya N. Self-Healing Polymeric Composites Reinforced with Green Synthesized Nanoparticles. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(03):-.
How to cite this URL:
Piyali Roy Choudhury, Sandeep P Shewale, Arun Kumar M, Kavya N. Self-Healing Polymeric Composites Reinforced with Green Synthesized Nanoparticles. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(03):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=243829


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
03
Received 24/04/2026
Accepted 12/05/2026
Published 14/05/2026
Publication Time 20 Days
63

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