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Polylactic Acid Composites Reinforced with Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Waste: Effect of Filler Content and Plant Fraction on Properties
Summary
Scientists turned water hyacinth, an invasive weed that clogs waterways worldwide, into a strengthening ingredient for plant-based plastic (PLA), creating a sturdier, still-compostable material. Adding small amounts of the plant's stem fibers boosted the plastic's strength by nearly 50%, suggesting this waste biomass could help replace conventional plastics in packaging and single-use items. This matters because compostable plant-based plastics break down more fully than traditional plastics, potentially reducing the microplastic pollution that ends up in our food, water, and bodies.
Abstract Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a highly invasive aquatic plant whose uncontrolled proliferation causes significant ecological and economic damage worldwide. However, its lignocellulosic biomass remains an underutilized resource for the development of biobased polymer composites. This study investigates the use of water hyacinth waste as a natural filler in polylactic acid (PLA) composites, using different plant fractions: petiole (WHP), leaf (WHL), and their mixture (WHM). The composites were produced by solvent casting. The effects of filler content (1–10 wt.%) and biomass fraction on the thermal, mechanical, and structural properties of the films were systematically evaluated. Morphological analysis confirmed good dispersion of PLA and lignocellulosic fillers. Mechanical tests showed that the petiole fraction was the most effective reinforcement. The tensile strength of pure PLA increased from 5.3 MPa to 7.3, 7.0, and 7.8 MPa. Meanwhile, its modulus (E) increased from 291.0 MPa to 578.5, 743.6, and 734.2 MPa in the PLA/WHP composites containing 1%, 3%, and 5% reinforcement, respectively. However, at higher filler contents (≥10 wt.%), performance dropped due to particle agglomeration and limited stress transfer. Thermal analysis showed a slight decrease in thermal stability compared to pure PLA. The glass transition (Tg) and melting (Tm) temperatures stayed nearly the same (±2 °C), indicating the polymer's crystalline structure was preserved. This study demonstrates that water hyacinth waste can serve as a lignocellulosic filler in PLA-based biocomposites. The petiole fraction, at moderate loading, best balances stiffness and mechanical integrity. This strategy helps valorize invasive biomass for use in biobased polymer materials. These PLA/WHP biocomposites are proposed as candidates for packaging and single-use plastic applications, supporting the development of renewable, sustainable alternatives to fossil-based polymers.