2026/01/01 by Maria Qayyum, Noshabah Tabassum, Uzaira Rafique +5 · 1 voice
Environmental Science · Materials Science · #Advanced Cellulose Research Studies #Microplastics and Plastic Pollution #Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging
paper · doi:10.1515/ntrev-2025-0254
openalex publication_date 2026/01/01 · openalex created_date 2026/05/26 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
Abstract Petroleum-based plastics have been widely adopted due to their unique physical and mechanical properties, but their negative environmental impact has raised significant concerns. In response to this issue, the objective of this study is to develop advanced polymer bio membranes from renewable rabi crops, including potato and wheat, which are rich sources of starch and easily accessible in Pakistan. The extracted starches were treated with a 5 wt% NaOH solution to make starch nanoparticles, and then biodegradable plasticizers, such as glycerol and sorbitol, were incorporated to enhance their mechanical properties. The bio membranes were produced via a melt-blending process, and their tensile strength, thickness, biodegradability, and water absorption properties were thoroughly investigated. Functional groups, surface morphology, and thermal stability of the synthesized bio membranes were examined using FTIR, SEM, and TGA, respectively. The glycerol plasticized membranes demonstrated greater flexibility, while the sorbitol plasticized membranes showed higher tensile strength, thermal stability, and lower elongation at break. The experimental findings suggest that bio-based membranes prepared successfully from renewable rabi crops showed potential to be used for packaging application and contribute towards a more sustainable future.