Characterisation of PLA-based biocomposites reinforced with sugarcane bagasse and paper fibre

Abstract

The widespread issue of plastic pollution necessitates the development of sustainable, high-performance biocomposites. This study developed fully biodegradable PLA-based biocomposites reinforced with sugarcane bagasse (SB) and paper fibres to reduce cost and environmental impact. Composites containing up to 30 % filler were produced using two-roll milling and compression molding. FTIR analysis confirmed successful incorporation of lignocellulosic fillers and indicated hydrogen bonding between PLA carbonyl and filler hydroxyl groups, suggesting good interfacial interaction. Mechanical tests showed that hardness increased with filler content, reaching 42 HV at 30%, while tensile strength peaked at 26 MPa for 25% filler, then declined due to fibre clustering seen in SEM. The composites became more hydrophilic with increasing fibre content. Overall, the 25% filler composite achieved the best balance of strength and hardness, demonstrating a sustainable and cost-effective method for upcycling agricultural and paper waste into high-performance PLA biocomposites. These findings show the potential of PLA-sugarcane bagasse-paper fibre composites as biodegradable alternative for single-use plastics in packaging and food plates.