Bio‐Based Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Thermoplastic Starch Composites as a Host Matrix for Biochar Fillers

Biochar is an excellent, but less-used candidate to serve as alternative filler in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)-based composites. Increasing amounts of biochar between 20 and 50 wt% were incorporated PHB/char PHB/thermoplastic starch (TPS)/char composites its effects on the microstructure, crystallization thermal properties investigated. PHB shows a significant reduction molecular weight after processing increasing decreases this even stronger. From thermogravimetric analysis, it was clear that onset degradation temperature (255 °C) only slightly influenced by particles up 40 wt%. Contrastingly, reduces 245 °C when added. Additional data confirm morphology kinetics are enhanced biochar, while higher percentages clearly have opposite effect. Finally, work reveals ability TPS excellent intermediator at concentrations wt%, where resulting remains limited compared sample. Furthermore, like acts nucleation agent removes influence stability