The Effect of Kernel Shell Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (KS-OPEFB) and Rice Husks (RH) Hybrid Fillers on Thermoplastic Starch Films
Sinar Arzuria ADNAN, Azlin Fazlina OSMAN, Nur Hidayah AHMAD ZAIDI1, Muhammad Hanis ROSLI, Yahmunaa JAVERSEETHARAMAN, Ameirul Qayyum Eiman RAMLI, Haiza HAROON, Syazwani MAHMAD PUZI, Sharifah Hanis Yasmin SAYID ABDULLAH
Abstract: Thermoplastic starch (TPS) films have attracted increasing attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics; however, their widespread application remains limited by poor mechanical strength and high moisture sensitivity. In this study, agricultural waste-derived hybrid fillers from oil palm kernel shell empty fruit bunches (KS-OPEFB) and rice husk (RH) were incorporated into TPS films to enhance their mechanical performance and biodegradation behaviour. TPS composite films were prepared via a solution casting method using corn starch and glycerol, with varying ratios of KS-OPEFB and RH fillers. The effects of hybrid filler loading on tensile properties, structural characteristics, water absorption, and soil biodegradability were systematically investigated. The mechanical testing results showed that the addition of 16 wt.% KS-OPEFB and 4 wt.% RH improved the tensile strength of the TPS films, with an increase of up to 4.53 MPa compared to the neat TPS. The results of the Fourier transform infrared analysis indicated improved interfacial interactions between the starch matrix and the hybrid fillers. The results of the soil burial test showed improved biodegradability of the hybrid filler-filled TPS films, particularly for the films containing higher amounts of KS-OPEFB. The results showed improved biodegradability due to the increased accessibility of the films for biodegradation. The results also showed improved biodegradability due to the hydrophilic nature of the fillers. The results showed that the incorporation of the hybrid filler had a substantial effect on the water absorption of the TPS films. The results showed that the porous nature of the lignocellulosic fillers improved the water absorption of the films. The results showed that the hydrophilic nature of the fillers improved the water absorption of the films.
Keywords
Kernel Shell, Oil Palm Fruit Bunches, Rice Husks, Hybrid Fillers, Thermoplastic Starch Film
Published online 7/15/2026, 8 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Sinar Arzuria ADNAN, Azlin Fazlina OSMAN, Nur Hidayah AHMAD ZAIDI1, Muhammad Hanis ROSLI, Yahmunaa JAVERSEETHARAMAN, Ameirul Qayyum Eiman RAMLI, Haiza HAROON, Syazwani MAHMAD PUZI, Sharifah Hanis Yasmin SAYID ABDULLAH, The Effect of Kernel Shell Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (KS-OPEFB) and Rice Husks (RH) Hybrid Fillers on Thermoplastic Starch Films, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 68, pp 126-133, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904237-17
The article was published as article 17 of the book Green Materials, Processing & Characterization
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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