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Highlights The study presents the ideal distribution of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) within the thermoplastic starch (TPS) matrix significantly elevated the thermal and electrical conductivities, as well as the electrochemical efficiency of the biocomposites. Additionally, the incorporation of GNP resulted in an increased thermal stability for the TPS, as indicated by the elevated temperatures required for maximum degradation. The biocomposites exhibited a self‐aligned layered structure, creating conductive pathways and enhancing electron conduction. An electrical conductivity increased as the concentration of GNP increased, with the highest conductivity observed on the top and bottom surface with the value of 4.23 × 10−7 S/m and 3.92 × 10−6 S/m when 12 wt% of GNP was added. The presence of hydroxyl groups in TPS facilitated the formation of hydrogen bonds with GNP, preventing GNP from stacking and forming a more uniform conductive network within the film. The addition of 15 wt% GNP also improved the capacitive performance of the TPS matrix, as evidenced by higher current responses and larger quasi‐rectangular areas in the cyclic voltammetry curves compared to neat TPS. The Nyquist plots which are illustrated impedance data showed that the TPS film with 12 wt% GNP exhibits the smallest semicircle, indicating the highest conductivity which is suggested that GNP improves charge transfer compared to pure TPS. Optimal dispersion of GNP enhanced the biocomposite's properties. The electrical conductivity increases with the GNP content until 12 wt%. TPS/GNP self‐aligned layered improved conduction and capacitive behavior. GNP improved thermal stability by restricting polymer chain movement. Electrochemical impedance shows improved properties of TPS/GNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to extract cellulose from corn silk (CS) fiber and use it as a reinforcing filler in unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix. In this study, the cellulose is characterized using a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), and the resulting UPR/cellulose biocomposite's mechanical properties (such as flexural and impact testing) are assessed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided strong support for mechanical rather than a chemical bond between fiber and UPR. Additionally, the sodium hydroxide treated CS in UPR biocomposite and comparing it with neat UPR. The agricultural byproduct rich in cellulose corn silk is a natural polymer known for its structural strength and UPR has garnered attention as a biopolymer with notable flexibility, making it an appealing choice for plastic product manufacturing. However, the drawback of UPR lies in its inherent deficiency in both stiffness and strength. According to the FTIR data, extracted cellulose (CS) had fewer ketone (C = O) and hydroxyl (-OH) groups than virgin cellulose. It was shown that throughout the extraction process, hemicellulose and lignin were more eliminated, producing a more pure form of cellulose. When filled in UPR, cellulose and treated CS both caused the impact strength of UPR biocomposites to drop. For both treated CS and cellulose, it was shown that the flexural modulus and flexural strength increased as the filler amount increased to a definite percentage (12%) after which it decreased. The result revealed the tensile strength and tensile modulus achieved by 0% of fiber with 48 N/mm2 and 51 N/mm2 and highest at 12% of fiber with 54.3 N/mm2 and 68.8 N/mm2 for CS + UPR. And 53.4 N/mm2 and 69.6 N/mm2 for cellulose + UPR composite,, respectively. In comparison, the flexural characteristics of UPR/cellulose were marginally inferior to those of UPR/treated CS. However, the impact resistance showed a significant improvement, particularly with a cellulose loading of 12%. Hence, cellulose presents a greater potential for composite manufacturing due to its ability to maintain the ductile properties of UPR compared to treated CS. Moreover, processed CS and cellulose both can be used as reinforcing agents in polymers to increase their strength and stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic polymers have made advances in terms of their flexibility and other properties but a major problem still exists when it comes to their poor biodegradability and lack of conservation. To overcome this problem, the biocomposites are widely used for wide range of applications. Crop residues (CRs) from agriculture can be utilized to make items like biodegradable components; however, they are hard to recycle or dispose of. The aim is to use corn cob ash (CCA), which is generated by calcination of corn cob (CC) in a pectin matrix to create a biocomposites. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX) show the major compounds present in the CCA are silica, potassium, calcium, and many other inorganic compounds. In this research, a solution casting method is used to fabricate pectin/CC biocomposite films. By increasing the content of the CCA, the moisture content will decrease, contact angle and hardness properties are increased. However, increasing CCA content promotes the color change of pectin/CC biocomposite films and water absorption increases. The composite films are analyzed for biodegradation study. The FTIR, morphological, mechanical property, XRD, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies are used to evaluate the biocomposite films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biopolymers are biodegradable and renewable and can significantly reduce environmental impacts. For this reason, biocomposites based on a plasticized starch and cross-linker matrix and with a microfibrillated OCC cardboard cellulose reinforcement were developed. Biocomposites were prepared by suspension casting with varied amounts of microfibrillated cellulose: 0, 4, 8, and 12 wt%. Polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) was used as a cross-linking, water-soluble, and non-toxic agent. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from OCC cardboard showed appropriate properties and potential for good performance as a reinforcement. In general, microfiber incorporation and matrix cross-linking increased crystallization, reduced water adsorption, and improved the physical and tensile properties of the plasticized starch. Biocomposites cross-linked with PEGDE and reinforced with 12 wt% MFC showed the best properties. The chemical and structural changes induced by the cross-linking of starch chains and MFC reinforcement were confirmed by FTIR, NMR, and XRD. Biodegradation higher than 80% was achieved for most biocomposites in 15 days of laboratory compost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of chitosan/gelatine films incorporating nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic behaviour, making them attractive for various applications, including biomedical uses. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, and the scanning electron micrographs illustrated well-dispersed ferrite nanoparticles within the biopolymer network, despite the formation of some aggregates attributed to magnetic interactions. Magnetization loops revealed lower saturation magnetization values for the composites, attributed to the chitosan/gelatine coating and the dielectric studies, indicating increased dielectric losses in the presence of ferrites, particularly pronounced in the case of NiFe2O4, suggesting interactions at the interface region between the polymer and ferrite particles. The AC conductivity shows almost linear frequency dependence, associated with proton polarization and conduction processes, more significant at higher temperatures for samples with ferrite particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fiber-filled polymer composite is one of the best materials which provides a symmetrical superior strength and stiffness to structures. With the strengthening of people's environmental protection and resource reuse consciousness, the development of renewable materials, especially natural fiber-filled polymer composites, is receiving great attention. This study investigated the mechanical properties of polymer composites incorporating waste materials from the food processing industry and agricultural sources. Waste vegetal fiber-filled polymer biocomposites (WVFFPBs) with varying fiber types and 3D printing orientations were systematically fabricated. Subsequently, the tensile tests were executed to comprehensively assess the anisotropic mechanical behaviors of the WVFFPBs. The results demonstrated that WVFFPBs performed excellent anisotropic mechanical properties compared to pristine matrix samples as print orientation changed. As the printing angle increased from 0° to 90°, the tensile mechanical properties of the WVFFPBs displayed a decreasing trend. Moreover, the print orientation–anisotropic mechanical behavior relationship of 3D-printed WVFFPBs was revealed through the analysis of the material manufacturing characteristics and damage features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review addresses the current trend of replacing petroleum-based polymers in food packaging with bio-based alternatives, specifically focusing on proteins and polysaccharides. While these biopolymers exhibit excellent film-forming properties and are abundant in nature, their individual use in packaging lacks ideal plastic-like characteristics, especially in terms of mechanical and barrier properties. A recent solution involves the formulation of biocomposites through the reinforcement of one biopolymer with another (e.g., protein with a polysaccharide), significantly enhancing the physical, mechanical, and barrier properties of packaging materials. The review concentrates on the integration of proteins and polysaccharides in biocomposite materials, emphasizing their potential applications in active and intelligent food packaging systems. It covers sources, manufacturing methods, interaction mechanisms, recent developments, perspectives, and opportunities. The exploration extends to practical implementations of these biocomposites in enhancing food quality, safety, and shelf life—a green technological approach contributing to the reduction of food waste and loss. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]