Characterization of Banana Fiber-Reinforced Bioplastics for Environmentally Friendly Packaging Applications

This study explores the biocomposites composed of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) reinforced with alkali-treated banana sheath and banana leaf fibers. The fibers were treated with 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and incorporated into the PBS matrix at varying mesh sizes (40 and 60) and fiber contents (1, 2, and 5 parts per hundred resin (phr)). The composites were evaluated for melt flow rate (MFR), melt volume rate (MVR), tensile properties, impact strength, hardness, and microstructural characteristics using X-ray tomographic microscopy (XTM). The addition of both banana sheath and banana leaf fibers resulted in decreased MFR and MVR, while significantly improving the Young’s modulus, which reached up to 280 MPa in the composite containing 5 phr of fine banana leaf fibers. Impact strength was found to depend on both fiber size and loading, with the highest value of 10.8 kJ/m² observed in the composite reinforced with 2 phr of coarser banana sheath fibers. Microstructural analysis revealed that fiber dispersion, agglomeration, and void formation were key factors influencing mechanical performance. Furthermore, a prototype plant pot was successfully fabricated using the composite with the highest fine fiber and content, demonstrating the composite’s potential for sustainable product applications.