Wood Residue-Derived Biochar as a Low-Cost, Lubricating Filler in Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) Biocomposites
This study focused on the development of a novel biocomposite material formed by a thermoplastic biodegradable polyester, poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) (PBSA), and a carbonaceous filler as biochar (BC) derived by the pyrolysis of woody biomass waste. Composites with various...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Materials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/2/570 |
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| author | Miriam Cappello Damiano Rossi Sara Filippi Patrizia Cinelli Maurizia Seggiani |
| author_facet | Miriam Cappello Damiano Rossi Sara Filippi Patrizia Cinelli Maurizia Seggiani |
| author_sort | Miriam Cappello |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study focused on the development of a novel biocomposite material formed by a thermoplastic biodegradable polyester, poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:50:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-97b82e35c5c4453fb2e75127f30caab1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1944 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:50:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-97b82e35c5c4453fb2e75127f30caab12023-11-30T23:15:08ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442023-01-0116257010.3390/ma16020570Wood Residue-Derived Biochar as a Low-Cost, Lubricating Filler in Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) BiocompositesMiriam Cappello0Damiano Rossi1Sara Filippi2Patrizia Cinelli3Maurizia Seggiani4Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, ItalyThis study focused on the development of a novel biocomposite material formed by a thermoplastic biodegradable polyester, poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-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.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/2/570Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate)PBSAbiocharbiopolymersbiocompositethermoplastic composites |
| spellingShingle | Miriam Cappello Damiano Rossi Sara Filippi Patrizia Cinelli Maurizia Seggiani Wood Residue-Derived Biochar as a Low-Cost, Lubricating Filler in Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) Biocomposites Materials Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) PBSA biochar biopolymers biocomposite thermoplastic composites |
| title | Wood Residue-Derived Biochar as a Low-Cost, Lubricating Filler in Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) Biocomposites |
| title_full | Wood Residue-Derived Biochar as a Low-Cost, Lubricating Filler in Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) Biocomposites |
| title_fullStr | Wood Residue-Derived Biochar as a Low-Cost, Lubricating Filler in Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) Biocomposites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Wood Residue-Derived Biochar as a Low-Cost, Lubricating Filler in Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) Biocomposites |
| title_short | Wood Residue-Derived Biochar as a Low-Cost, Lubricating Filler in Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) Biocomposites |
| title_sort | wood residue derived biochar as a low cost lubricating filler in poly butylene succinate i co i adipate biocomposites |
| topic | Poly(butylene succinate-<i>co</i>-adipate) PBSA biochar biopolymers biocomposite thermoplastic composites |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/2/570 |
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