Login / Signup

Wood Residue-Derived Biochar as a Low-Cost, Lubricating Filler in Poly(butylene succinate- co -adipate) Biocomposites.

Miriam CappelloDamiano RossiSara FilippiPatrizia CinelliMaurizia Seggiani
Published in: Materials (Basel, Switzerland) (2023)
This study focused on the development of a novel biocomposite material formed by a thermoplastic biodegradable polyester, poly(butylene succinate- co -adipate) (PBSA), and a carbonaceous filler as biochar (BC) derived by the pyrolysis of woody biomass waste. Composites with various BC contents (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) were obtained by melt extrusion and investigated in terms of their processability, thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties. In all the composites, BC lowered melt viscosity, behaving as a lubricant, and enhancing composite extrudability and injection moulding at high temperatures up to 20 wt.% of biochar. While the use of biochar did not significantly change composite thermal stability, it increased its stiffness (Young modulus). Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) revealed the presence of a second crystal phase induced by the filler addition. Furthermore, results suggest that biochar may form a particle network that hinders polymer chain disentanglement, reducing polymer flexibility. A biochar content of 10 wt.% was selected as the best trade-off concentration to improve the composite processability and cost competitiveness without compromising excessively the tensile properties. The findings support the use of biochar as a sustainable renewable filler and pigment for PBSA. Biochar is a suitable candidate to replace more traditional carbon black pigments for the production of biodegradable and inexpensive innovative PBSA composites with potential fertilizing properties to be used in agricultural applications.
Keyphrases
  • sewage sludge
  • heavy metals
  • anaerobic digestion
  • organic matter
  • risk assessment
  • hyaluronic acid
  • plant growth
  • municipal solid waste
  • low cost
  • reduced graphene oxide
  • single cell
  • human health