D. Jyothi Swarup,
S. Infancy Vimal Priya,
P. K. Kumar,
M. P. Indumathi,
M. Venkatesulu,
S. Gnanasaravanan,
A. Sathish Kumar,
Parthiban Navaneetha Kannan,
J. Ananth,
- Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, St Ann’s College of Engineering and Technology, Chirala, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics (S&H), K. Ramakrishnan College of Technology (Autonomous), Samayapuram, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India
- Senior physical director, Department of Physical Education, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Science and Humanities (Chemistry), R. M. K. College of Engineering and Technology, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India
- Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vemu Institute of Technology, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Assistant Professor (Senior Grade), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, OMR, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Professor, Department of Marine Engineering, AMET, Deemed to be University, Kanathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
The development of sustainable structural materials with integrated sensing capabilities has emerged as an effective strategy for improving the durability and resilience of coastal infrastructure exposed to aggressive marine environments. In this study, a multifunctional marine algal fiber reinforced bio-composite incorporating an embedded flexible humidity sensor was developed for real-time structural health monitoring applications. Marine macroalgae (Ulva lactuca) fibers were chemically functionalized using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to enhance fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion prior to incorporation into a bio-based epoxy matrix through Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM). A flexible graphene oxide/carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube (GO/MWCNT)-based interdigitated humidity sensor was embedded at the laminate mid-plane to continuously monitor internal moisture ingress. Mechanical characterization revealed significant improvements in tensile and flexural performance following silane treatment while maintaining excellent compatibility with the embedded sensor layer. Hydrothermal aging in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at 40°C and 60°C demonstrated reduced moisture diffusion and superior durability in treated composites. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis confirmed increased glass transition temperature, enhanced interfacial stiffness, and improved viscoelastic stability. The embedded sensor exhibited high sensitivity, repeatable electromechanical response, and strong correlation between electrical impedance and moisture uptake, demonstrating considerable potential for intelligent coastal infrastructure and its applications and predictive maintenance strategies.
Keywords: Interfacial adhesion, viscoelastic stability, gravimetric moisture, flexural performance, silane functionalization.
[This article belongs to Journal of Polymer & Composites ]
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Journal of Polymer & Composites
| Volume | 14 | |
| Issue | 05 | |
| Received | 15/07/2026 | |
| Accepted | 22/07/2026 | |
| Published | 27/07/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 12 Days |