Development of Biodegradable Plant Pots from Chitosan Reinforced with Natural Fibers for Agricultural Applications
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Abstract
This study aimed to develop biodegradable composite materials based on chitosan reinforced with natural fibers, including pineapple leaf fiber (PL), rice straw (RI), and sugarcane bagasse (BG), for use as biodegradable plant pots. The fibers were incorporated into a chitosan matrix at fiber-to-chitosan ratios of 1:0.08, 1:0.12, 1:0.16, 1:0.20, and 1:0.24 by weight, with glycerol used as a plasticizer. The composites were then fabricated using a molding and drying process. The effects of fiber type and composition on density, water absorption, thickness swelling, and biodegradation behavior were investigated. The results showed that fiber type significantly influenced the composite properties. PL-reinforced composites exhibited the highest density, water absorption, thickness swelling, and biodegradation rate, attributed to their high cellulose content and fibrillated structure. PL-reinforced composites exhibited the highest density (0.907 g/cm³) and biodegradation (97%), attributed to their high cellulose content and fibrillated structure. In contrast, RI composites showed the lowest density and biodegradation, while BG composites demonstrated intermediate behavior. Increasing chitosan content improved dimensional stability by reducing thickness swelling. Soil burial tests confirmed that all composites were biodegradable, with degradation increasing over time. Among the formulations investigated, the fiber-to-chitosan ratio of 1:0.16 was selected as the most suitable formulation for pot fabrication and plant cultivation tests due to its balanced dimensional stability and biodegradation performance. Furthermore, the developed composites were successfully fabricated into hollow pot structures using a two-part mold system. A plant cultivation test demonstrated that all biodegradable pots supported plant growth without visible toxicity and exhibited performance comparable to conventional plastic nursery bags.
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