The Effect of Alkali Treatment on Pineapple Leaf Fibers (PALF) on the Performance of PALF Reinforced Rice Starch Biocomposites

In recent years, petroleum-based plastic production has increased exponentially, but its negative impact on the environment, wildlife, and human life is not getting much attention. It is high time now to search for possible alternative materials to replace these plastics. The present study investigates the change in surface morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties of rice starch bioplastic films reinforced with untreated and treated pineapple leaf fibers (PALF). Three types of films were synthesized: Type A (Pure rice starch film), Type B (Rice starch film reinforced with untreated PALF), Type C (Rice starch film reinforced with alkaline-treated PALF) using starch and PALF in the 10:1 weight ratio. It was observed that after alkaline treatment of PALF, interfacial bonding between PALF and rice starch matrix was improved, which further helped to increase the tensile strength of the films. Dynamic mechanical analysis of films showed an increase in storage and loss modulus values after incorporating PALF into the rice starch matrix. The thermal stability of films was also improved after incorporating treated PALF into it because of the removal of low molecular weight components from the surface of PALF. Synthesized bioplastic-composite films were also biodegradable.