Composite Film Based on Polyethylene and Plant Waste

This study presents the development of a composite film based on low-pressure polyethylene (LPPE) and sunflower husk. The sunflower husk was pretreated with a 4% NaOH solution. Composite films with a thickness of 200 ± 0.20 µm were obtained, containing 40–60 wt.% sunflower husk. The main mechanical properties, water absorption, and surface morphology of the films were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermogravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves were obtained for sunflower husk, polyethylene, and composite films. The optimal composition of the film components (wt.%) was determined as follows: LPPE—50–55%, sunflower husk—45–50%. The composite film containing 50 wt.% sunflower husk exhibited the following properties: tensile resistance—3.9 ± 0.18 MPa, relative elongation at break—6 ± 0.28%, tensile strain—21 ± 1.02%, modulus of elasticity—108 ± 5.32 MPa, and water absorption over 24 h—2.4%.