Preparation of Ecofriendly Viable Packaging Films Based on Pectin and Agro-Waste: Thermal and Mechanical Studies by Design of Experiments Approach

The use of synthetic single used plastic packaging and mulching films has serious environmental effects due to their non-degradable waste causing pollution. To replace these synthetic materials, high-strength biodegradable polymer composites of Pectin, Luffa Fiber (agro-waste) and Glycerol are synthesized by the solvent casting technique using a universal solvent. The experimentation is carried out using a 3 × 3 factorial design and the tensile behavior (tensile strength and elongation) of composites is analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM). The tensile strength of pectin containing 10% glycerol is 11.48 MPa which is increased to 19.34 MPa by incorporation of 15% luffa fiber and this composition is optimized with desirability index method (simultaneously optimization) to achieve the best results for elongation at break (188.89%) as well. The interactions between constituents of composites are characterized by FTIR spectro-scopy and scanning electron microscopic study reveals a uniform distribution of fiber. The composites have sustained thermal stability as all composites are stable up to 260°C in an inert atmosphere under TGA study. The biodegradability of composite films was observed by soil burial method and found completely degradable in 75 days. The present composites of non-toxic components with high tensile properties, sustained thermal stability and complete biodegradability are suitable for green packaging applications.