Siti Hasnah Kamarudin, Nur Maisarah Suhaimi, Syarifah Nursyafizah Syed Mohamad, Hafira Balqis Hafiz, Silvi Ikawati, Ummi Hani Abdullah, Mohd Salahuddin Mohd Basri
The development of high-performance biodegradable biocomposites is essential to address plastic waste and resource sustainability challenges. However, biocomposites often exhibit limited mechanical performance and moisture sensitivity due to the hydrophilic nature of lignocellulosic fibres. This study investigates hybrid biocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) reinforced with kenaf and empty fruit bunch fibres (EFB) to enhance structural and degradation performance. Hybrid biocomposites were fabricated via internal mixing followed by compression moulding. Hybridisation significantly improved mechanical properties of biocomposites. The incorporation of empty fruit bunch fibres into kenaf reinforced PLA increased tensile strength by approximately 47% and tensile modulus by 32% compared with non-hybrid biocomposites. The hybrid biocomposites also exhibited enhanced density and the highest biodegradation rate, with about 0.33% weight loss after ten days of soil burial. Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed reduced hydroxyl and ester groups after fibre treatment, indicating improved interfacial compatibility. Scanning electron microscopy revealed stronger fibre–matrix adhesion, contributing to increased stiffness and strength. These findings demonstrate that kenaf and empty fruit bunch fibre hybridisation effectively enhances mechanical performance while maintaining biodegradability, supporting sustainable biocomposites development. © The Author(s) 2026.
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Shah Alam, 40450, Malaysia; Nanocomposite Materials and Processing Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Shah Alam, 40450, Malaysia; Social and Cultural Innovation Group, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Shah Alam, 40450, Malaysia; Plant Pest and Diseases Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Brawijaya, East Java, Malang, Indonesia; Department of Wood and Fiber Industries, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Serdang, 43400, Malaysia; Department of Process and Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Serdang, 43400, Malaysia
