Biopolymer Composites: Integrating Agro Waste-fillers with LDPE for Enhanced Mechanistic and Moisture Properties

Abstract

Availability of sustainable materials has been closely linked to the development of new technologies. In this study, agro-waste materials; Coconut shell (CS) and Saw dust (SD) were employed as filler materials in the production of polymer composites using low density polyethylene (LDPE) as matrix at varying composition ratios ranging from 10/90 to 50/50 of filler/LDPE. A total of fifteen (15) composites materials (Coconut shell (CS) and Saw dust (SD) and Hybrid (HB) bio-polymer composites) were fabricated and studied. SEM micrographs showed a homogeneous distribution of particles with a good interfacial bonding at the filler/matrix interface, FTIR analysis identified peaks at 1500 cm-1 for Ethylene and 3000 cm-1 for hydrophilic hydroxyl (OH) groups. The mechanical characterization showed higher filler ratios enhanced material stiffness and reduced elasticity, SD 40/60, HB 50/50 and CS 50/50 were in cluster I, while CS 10/90, SD 30/70 and HB 20/80 in cluster III had the most tolerance for moisture. The principal component analysis (PCA) could explain 87% variation while cluster analysis (HCA) identified the second day of testing to have the most impact on composites in presence of moisture. The findings provide a pathway to reduce environmental pollution and offers valuable insights into the design of bio-polymer composites with enhanced performance. for application in packaging, construction, automobile and other industries.