Fabrication and characterization of eco-friendly biocomposites from waste coconut spathe fabric for sustainable progress

Abstract

Natural fiber-reinforced biocomposites offer sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. This study investigates the development of biocomposites using coconut spathe fiber, a renewable byproduct, reinforced with corn starch and poly(vinyl alcohol). The composites demonstrated significant mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 46.8 MPa, flexural strength of 42.1 MPa, and an impact strength of 11.2 kJ m⁻². Water absorption was limited to 33.6% after 24 hours, indicating hydrolytic stability. Biodegradation tests confirmed the complete breakdown of the material in composting conditions. These findings highlight the potential of coconut spathe-based biocomposites for applications in the automotive and packaging industries, addressing the need for sustainable and biodegradable materials in place of non-degradable thermoplastics.