Dr. Deepa B

Research scientist in nanotechnology with special attention in extraction and characterization of nanocellulose fractions from various lignocellulosic biomass sources, development and characterization of bionanomaterials, cellulosic nanomaterials, bionanocomposite films/scaffolds for packaging and biomedical applications.

Specialization and Area of Research in Ph.D

Extraction of nanocellulose (cellulose nanofibrils and cellulose nanocrystals) from various lignocellulosic sources by simple and greener techniques and its chemical functionalization using environmentally friendly methods. Preparation of bio-based materials (films and scaffolds) based on nanocellulose and biopolymeric matrices for packaging and cartilage applications. Structural, morphological, thermal, visco-elastic and surface characterizations of the prepared nanocellulose and naocomposites by various advanced techniques such as FTIR, CPMAS NMR, XRD, SEM, AFM, TEM, TGA, DSC, DMA, IGC etc.

Academic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry (Development of Nanocomposites Based on Natural Fibres) from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India
• M.Sc. Chemistry from University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
• B.Sc. Chemistry from University of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Academic Achievements

Awarded the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt. of India, New Delhi

Visiting Studentship

Visiting doctoral student in the Division of Materials Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden for three months starting from 1/05/2014 to 31/07/2014.

List of Publications

1. B. Deepa, E.Abraham, N.Cordeiro, M. Faria, G.Primc, Y.Pottathara, M.Leskovšek, M.Gorjanc, M.Mozetič, S. Thomas, L.A. Pothan. Nanofibrils vs nanocrystals bionanocomposites based on sodium alginate matrix: An improved-performance study. Heliyon, 2020, 6(2):e03266.
2. M. Faria, C.Vilela, A.J.Silvestre, B. Deepa, M. Resnik, C.S. Freire, N. Cordeiro, Physicochemical surface properties of bacterial cellulose/polymethacrylate nanocomposites: an approach by inverse gas chromatography. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2019, 206, 86-93.
3. N. Naseri, B. Deepa, A.P. Mathew, K. Oksman, L. Girandon. Nanocellulose-Based Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) Hydrogels for Cartilage Applications. Biomacromolecules, 2016, 17, 3714-3723.
4. B. Deepa, E. Abraham, L.A. Pothan, S. Thomas. Biodegradable nanocomposite films based on sodium alginate and cellulose nanofibrils. Materials, 2016, 9,50.
5. B. Deepa, E. Abraham, N. Cordeiro , M. Mozetic, A.P. Mathew, K. Oksman, M. Faria, S. Thomas, L. A. Pothan. Utilization of various lignocellulosic biomass for the production of nanocellulose: a comparative study. Cellulose, 2015, 22, 1075-1090.
6. P. Geetha, M.S. Latha, S.S. Pillai, B. Deepa, K.S. Kumar, M. Koshy. Green synthesis and characterization of alginate nanoparticles and its role as a biosorbent for Cr (VI) ions. Journal of Molecular Structure, 2015, 1105, 54-60.
7. E. Abraham, B. Deepa, L.A. Pothen, J. Cintil, S. Thomas, M.J. John, R. Anandjiwala, S.S. Narine. Environmental friendly method for the extraction of coir fibre and isolation of nanofibre. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2013, 92, 1477-1483.
8. S.S. Pillai, B. Deepa, E. Abraham, N. Girija, P. Geetha, L. Jacob, M. Koshy. Biosorption of Cd (II) from aqueous solution using xanthated nano banana cellulose: Equilibrium and kinetic studies. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 2013, 98, 352-360.
9. E. Abraham, B. Deepa, L. A. Pothan, M. Jacob, S. Thomas, R. Anandjiwala, S.S. Narine. Physico-mechanical properties of green nanocomposites based on cellulose nanofibre and natural rubber latex. Cellulose, 2013, 20, 417-427.
10. E. Abraham, P.A. Elbi, B. Deepa, P. Jyotishkumar, L.A. Pothan, S. Thomas, S.S. Narine. X-ray diffraction and biodegradation analysis of green nanocomposites of natural rubber/nanocellulose. Polymer degradation and Stability, 2012, 97, 2378-2387.
11. B. Deepa, E. Abraham, B. M. Cherian, A. Bismarck, J. J. Blaker, L. A. Pothan, A.L. Leao, S.F. de Souza, M. Kottaisamy. Structure, morphology and thermal characteristics of banana nano fibres obtained by steam explosion; Bioresource Technology, 2011, 102, 1988-1997.
12. E. Abraham, B. Deepa, L.A. Pothan, M. Jacob, S. Thomas, R. Anandjiwala. Extraction of nanocellulose fibrils from lignocellulosic fibres: A novel approach. Carbohydrate polymers, 2011, 86, 1468– 1475.