Eco-friendly High-Density Polyethylene Nanocomposites Reinforced with Rice Straw-Derived Nanocellulose: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biodegradability Assessment | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Chemistry | ||
| Volume 68, Issue 13, December 2025, Pages 1009-1031 PDF (3.46 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejchem.2025.411431.12147 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Ghada A kadry* 1; Heba A. El- Gawad2; Mostafa H Hussein1 | ||
| 1chemical engineering department, the higher institute of engineering, El-shorouk academy | ||
| 2b Engineering Mathematics and Physics Department, The Higher Institute of Engineering, El Shorouk Academy, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study presents an innovative strategy for fabricating sustainable nanocomposites by using rice straw, a common agricultural byproduct, as a reinforcing agent for high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This research integrates waste valorisation, nanomaterial synthesis, and polymer engineering to develop materials with enhanced properties and a reduced environmental impact. The mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation characteristics of the resulting composites were thoroughly investigated. Nanocellulose, extracted from rice straw through a series of treatments (alkaline pulping, bleaching, and acid hydrolysis), resulted in particles with diameters between 15 and 24 nm. Composites with nanocellulose loadings between 0.1% and 7% demonstrated notable improvements in mechanical performance. The tensile strength increased by as much as 14.38%, and the elastic modulus showed an enhancement of up to 31.50% at an optimal nanocellulose loading range of 0.4% to 0.8%. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed enhanced thermal stability and evidence of interaction between HDPE and nanocellulose. Furthermore, preliminary biodegradation tests indicated a partial degradation of 0.28% over five months through soil burial tests, showing that nanocellulose incorporation facilitates environmental decomposition | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Nanocellulose; HDPE nanocomposites; Sustainable materials; Biodegradability; Thermal stability; Mechanical properties; Eco-friendly composites | ||
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