PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS

Stephen Idowu Durowaye; Olusola Emmanuel Ojo

doi:10.47137/uujes.1870787

PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Natural fillers offer a sustainable alternative for reinforcing polymer matrix composites due to their adequate strength, low cost, biodegradability, and environmental compatibility. This study investigated the development of compostable hybrid biocomposites using a thermosetting epoxy resin matrix reinforced with 3-18 wt. % sugarcane bagasse and coconut shell particles. The biocomposites were fabricated via stir casting, and their microstructural, physical, thermal, and biodegradability properties were systematically evaluated. SEM analysis of the unreinforced epoxy resin revealed a dense, cross-linked structure characteristic of thermosetting polymers. The SEM image of the hybrid polymer-matrix biocomposite indicated good dispersion of bagasse and coconut shell particles within the matrix, signifying strong interfacial bonding. Among the formulations, the hybrid biocomposite containing 12 wt. % filler (6 wt. % sugarcane bagasse + 6 wt. % coconut shell) demonstrated optimal performance, exhibiting a density of 0.97 g/cm³, the lowest water absorption (0.15 %), and the highest thermal resistance, retaining 18 % of its mass at 700 °C. These results indicate enhanced char-formation and improved filler–matrix interaction. Biodegradability testing showed that this hybrid biocomposite demonstrated the highest degradation rate, with a weight loss of 18.5 %. The improved thermal resistance and reduced hydrophilicity confirmed the composite’s strong potential for compostable packaging applications, where both thermal durability and environmental degradability are essential.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research received financial support from the Central Research Committee (CRC) of the University of Lagos, Nigeria, under Grant No. CRC-2025/014. The authors gratefully acknowledge this support, which was instrumental to the successful execution of the study. The authors also thank Mr. Jelili Tiamiyu of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, for his invaluable assistance with logistics.

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve human or animal participants. All procedures followed scientific and ethical principles, and all referenced studies were appropriately cited.

Thanks

This research received financial support from the Central Research Committee (CRC) of the University of Lagos, Nigeria, under Grant No. CRC-2025/014. The authors gratefully acknowledge this support, which was instrumental to the successful execution of the study. The authors also thank Mr. Jelili Tiamiyu of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, for his invaluable assistance with logistics.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Composite and Hybrid Materials

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Stephen Idowu Durowaye ^*
0000-0003-4787-5675
Nigeria

Olusola Emmanuel Ojo
0000-0001-5342-776X
Nigeria

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

January 24, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.47137/uujes.1870787

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA32SM77NT

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Durowaye, S. I., & Ojo, O. E. (2026). PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS. Usak University Journal of Engineering Sciences, 9(1), 15-32. https://doi.org/10.47137/uujes.1870787

AMA

1.Durowaye SI, Ojo OE. PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS. UUJES. 2026;9(1):15-32. doi:10.47137/uujes.1870787

Chicago

Durowaye, Stephen Idowu, and Olusola Emmanuel Ojo. 2026. “PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS”. Usak University Journal of Engineering Sciences 9 (1): 15-32. https://doi.org/10.47137/uujes.1870787.

EndNote

Durowaye SI, Ojo OE (June 1, 2026) PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS. Usak University Journal of Engineering Sciences 9 1 15–32.

IEEE

[1]S. I. Durowaye and O. E. Ojo, “PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS”, UUJES, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 15–32, June 2026, doi: 10.47137/uujes.1870787.

ISNAD

Durowaye, Stephen Idowu - Ojo, Olusola Emmanuel. “PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS”. Usak University Journal of Engineering Sciences 9/1 (June 1, 2026): 15-32. https://doi.org/10.47137/uujes.1870787.

JAMA

1.Durowaye SI, Ojo OE. PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS. UUJES. 2026;9:15–32.

MLA

Durowaye, Stephen Idowu, and Olusola Emmanuel Ojo. “PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS”. Usak University Journal of Engineering Sciences, vol. 9, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 15-32, doi:10.47137/uujes.1870787.

Vancouver

1.Stephen Idowu Durowaye, Olusola Emmanuel Ojo. PHYSICAL, THERMAL, AND BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISATION OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND COCONUT SHELL REINFORCED EPOXY BIOCOMPOSITES FOR COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS. UUJES. 2026 Jun. 1;9(1):15-32. doi:10.47137/uujes.1870787