Abstract
Plastic pollution has emerged as a global environmental crisis due to the non-biodegradability and ecological toxicity of conventional petroleum-based plastics. In this study, bioplastics were developed using banana and plantain peels (Musa nana, Musa paradisiaca, and Musa sapientum var paradisiaca), which are widely available agro-wastes. These bioplastics were doped with eggshell and iron rust which are natural and renewable sources of Ca2+ and Fe3+ ions respectively to enhance their durability, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and biodegradation performance. The produced bioplastics were characterized using several techniques including elemental characterization (EDXRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties (tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at break) of the bioplastics were assessed using standard methods, and water absorption and biodegradation tests were conducted to evaluate their environmental performance. The study revealed that doping with eggshell significantly increased tensile strength and Young’s modulus, indicating enhanced stiffness and bonding within the polymer matrix. Iron rust, in contrast, promoted faster biodegradation and greater flexibility, albeit at the cost of reduced mechanical strength. SEM images demonstrated strong interfacial bonding and homogeneous dispersion of fillers. FTIR analysis confirmed enhanced molecular interactions and new bond formations through hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups. Water absorption and soil burial degradation tests indicated that all bioplastics were biodegradable, with degradation rates influenced by both additive type and acid treatment concentrations. These findings demonstrate the potential of agro-waste lignocellulosic materials, additive-enhanced bioplastics as viable alternatives to conventional plastics, offering a sustainable solution to plastic waste and promoting circular bio-economy practices.