Biopolymer Composites: Mechanical, Thermal, Rheological and Biodegradation Properties

The presentation reports composites based on a variety of biopolymer polymers (e.g. PLA, PBAT, chitosan, PBS) incorporated with fillers ranging from graphene, silicates, silica and biofillers like date seed powder. Depending on the polymer-filler interactions, amount of filler as well as compounding conditions, varying degrees of filler dispersion were obtained. In the case of graphene incorporated composites, highest increments in the mechanical, thermal and rheological performance of the polymers were observed. Addition of biofiller date seed powder had a specific effect on the polymer matrices and rate of biodegradation was observed to increase as compared to pure polymer. Other properties also had improvement, though the extent was not as high as graphene as filler. This led to the generation of true bio-composites where both filler and polymer components were bio-based and their combination did not hinder the biodegradation, rather enhanced it along with improving other properties.