Bioactive bioplastic films incorporating waste-derived carbon dots and starch for sustainable packaging

Abstract

In this study, carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized from avocado peel waste via a hydrothermal process and incorporated into a starch blend of stale bread and sago to develop sustainable, active bioplastic films. This circular strategy upcycles food waste into value-added packaging materials with enhanced performance. CDs exhibited nanoscale size, surface functionality, and fluorescence. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed uniform CD dispersion, improving film compactness and mechanical integrity. At 3 wt % CDs, Young’s modulus increased by ∼29%, while air permeability and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) decreased by ∼62% and ∼86%, respectively. The films also showed strong antioxidant activity (60.24% 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] scavenging at 5 wt % CDs) and antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus . Overall, CD-reinforced starch films offer a scalable, eco-friendly approach for multifunctional biopolymers aligned with circular economy and sustainable packaging principles. © 2025 .

Keywords Biodegradable plastics, Bioplastic, Carbon dots, Circular economy, Environmental impact