(Bio)degradable biochar composites-Studies on degradation and electrostatic properties

In this work, biochar was introduced as a filler into the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester and polylactide blend. Properties and the changes during degradation of obtained materials were evaluated. A new application path was also determined by lowering the surface resistivity by increasing the biochar content. Measurements of electrostatic properties showed that surface resistivity of the poly(1,4-butylene adipate-co-1,4-butylene terephthalate)/polylactide/biochar composites is strongly dependent on the biochar content. Six-fold reduction of the surface resistivity after introduction of the 30 wt% of carbon to the reference specimen was observed. Degradation tests were conducted under abiotic and composting conditions. Visual evaluation indicated that the increase of biochar content had caused cracks to increase on the sample surfaces. The values of thermal properties after degradation do not indicated on the biochar influence on polymer matrix degradation mechanism. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed that after 42 days of hydrolytic degradation amount of polylactide was 0-2%.

Automated summary

Biochar was introduced as a filler in the blend of aliphatic-aromatic copolyester and polylactide, leading to changes in properties and degradation behavior of the materials. Increasing biochar content reduced surface resistivity significantly and impacted the electrostatic properties of the composites. The addition of biochar also resulted in surface cracks during degradation tests, but did not significantly influence the thermal properties of the polymer matrix.