Innovative utilization of agricultural byproducts: development and analysis of eco-friendly packaging materials from rice husk and wheat straw

This research aimed to develop a novel biodegradable packaging material using agricultural by-product as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based packaging. Rice husk and wheat straw were utilized as primary components, with corn starch and wax serving as binders. The resulting samples were evaluated and compared to identify the optimal formulation. Structural, interactional, thermal, and surface properties were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and contact angle measurements. SEM revealed rough surfaces with interconnected morphologies, while XRD indicated the presence of cellulose through distinct crystalline peaks. FT-IR spectra showed characteristic peaks corresponding to starch (C–O–C), wax (C–H), and agricultural by-product components (cellulose and lignin). TGA results demonstrated superior thermal stability in rice husk–starch composites. Mechanical testing revealed that wheat straw with starch binder exhibited the highest compression strength under a 30 kN load, whereas rice husk with starch binder showed the greatest flexural strength. Swelling behavior tests indicated minimal weight change, and water absorption tests confirmed that wax-based binders provided the lowest water uptake. Biodegradability assessments validated the eco-friendly nature of all samples. Among the formulations, rice husk with starch binder (RHS) emerged as the most promising in terms of biodegradability, mechanical performance, and thermal stability, aligning well with the goal of sustainable packaging development.