Production of Bioplastics from Agricultural Waste

الملخص

The diminishing availability of petroleum resources, coupled with escalating environmental and waste management challenges, has intensified the global search for sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived plastics. In 2017, the Higher Council for Environment and Urban and Rural Promotion in Khartoum State, Sudan, issued a formal decree prohibiting the manufacture and circulation of lightweight plastic bags. Bioplastics have emerged as a critical innovation to mitigate these issues by utilizing renewable and degradable natural resources. This study investigates a controlled process for the synthesis of bioplastics from banana peel (Musa sapientum) waste using a specialized water-bath batch reactor system. While previous experimental attempts often yielded inconsistent structural outputs, this research refines the methodology through controlled concentration and the strategic application of chemical additives. The process involves a multi-stage chemical treatment: Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) is utilized to disrupt molecular bonding, followed by Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) for pH neutralization. Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) is introduced to react with acidic components, facilitating carbon dioxide release which creates a characteristic porous grain and expanded texture. Plasticity, flexibility, and coherence are further optimized through the incorporation of Glycerol, Gum Arabic, and U-POX oil. Characterization via spectroscopy confirmed the retention of the cellulose structure, with distinctive peaks at 3379.05 cm⁻¹ and 2929.67 cm⁻¹ aligning with cellulose standards. Furthermore, thermal cracking of the produced polymer at 293 °C resulted in a significant 70% mass loss, yielding a liquid fraction identified as light naphtha-grade fuel. These findings demonstrate that utilizing a batch reactor not only improves the structural integrity of agro-waste bioplastics but also reveals their potential as a dual-purpose precursor for renewable energy applications, offering an interdisciplinary solution to environmental sustainability.