LAUSR

Abstract The objective of this research was to synthesize the optimized packaging film based on polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and alkali treated-wheat straw (WS) using central composite design (CCD). In this paper, effects of three independent factors viz. polyethylene (1.8–1.08 g), polypropylene (1.2–0.72 g), and alkali treated-wheat straw (0–1.2 g) on three dependent variables viz. tensile strength, elongation at break (%) and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of packaging film were investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) provided the combination for an optimum film, which was 1.8 g of polyethylene, 1.2 g of polypropylene and 1.192 g of alkali treated-wheat straw giving 45.018 MPa tensile strength, 120% elongation limit and 51.740 g/m−2day−1 water vapor transmission rate, respectively for packaging application. The film prepared using the optimized results further characterized using several characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), mechanical testing, contact angle, water vapor transmission rate and optical characteristics test. This result demonstrated the perfect use of treated-agro-waste in a polymer matrix for green packaging application.